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AN 



ADDRESS 



ON THE OPPOSITE RESULTS OF 



EXHAUSTING AND FERTILIZING 



SYSTEMS OF AGRICULTURE, 



READ BEFORE 



XHE SOUTH-CAROLINA INSTITUTE, 



FOURTH ANNUAL FAIR, 



NOVEMBER 18th, 1852. 



By EDMUND RUFFIN, Esq., 



OF VIRGINIA. 



CHARLESTON: 

STEAM POWER PRESS OP WALKER AND JAMES. 
1853. 



J 




Glass. 
Book 



___L 



• TH- 



37 afv 



AN 



ADDRESS 



ON THE OPPOSITE RESULTS OF 



EXHAUSTING AND FERTILIZING 



SYSTEMS OF AGRICULTURE, 



READ BEFORE 



THE SOUTH-CAROLINA INSTITUTE, 



AT ITS 



FOURTH ANNUAL FAIR, 



NOVEMBER I 8th, 1852. 



By EDMUND RUFFIN, Esq., 



OF VIRGINIA. 



( 



CHARLESTON : 

STEAM POWER PRESS OF WALKER AND JAMES. 
1853. 



V 1 - 



ADDRESS. 



[ A large and intelligent audience assembled at Hibernian Hall, to hear the 
Agricultural Address of Edmund Ruffin, Esq., of Virginia. During its delivery, 
great interest was manifested, and at the conclusion a resolution was offered by 
Col. E. M. Seabrooe, to the effect that the thanks of South Carolina are due, and 
that the thanks of the South Carolina Institute are tendered to Mr. Ruffin, for the 
able address delivered before the Institute that evening, and that a copy of the same 
be requested of him for publication by the Institute. The resolution was unani- 
mously adopted.] 

Upon this occasion, I am much gratified to renew with a portion of 
the people of South Carolina, a personal acquaintance, first begun about 
ten years ago, and which has long been suspended by remote separation. 
At that time, the unexpected and unsought for honour conferred on me, 
when personally an entire stranger to your country, and to nearly all its 
inhabitants, of an important public charge, induced me, at much per- 
sonal sacrifice of interest, of ease, and of domestic comforts, to leave 
my home and family, and to devote* a year to a zealous effort to promote 
the agricultural improvement of your country. But however sanguine 
were my early hopes, and zealous the exertions, and faithful the perform- 
ance of the service undertaken, I was greatly disappointed by the failure 
of the expected results. From the time of my resignation of the office 
of State Agricultural Surveyor, and retirement from the duties, it has 
continued to me a subject of painful reflection, that I failed to earn the 
great and most grateful recompense I had hoped for — the inducing the 
people of this State to begin, in earnest and properly, to use their 
wonderfully abundant and valuable resources for the improvement of 
their lands — and in rendering this benefit to them, to acquire for my- 
self some just claim to be deemed a public benefactor. I may venture 
to acknowledge the promptings of this kind of ambition, at the same 
time with the failure of its object. No other kind, nor the ordinary 



objects of ambition, would have drawn me from my private pursuits 
and my home. 

Again, and after a long interval, a somewhat similar honour has now 
brought me to this place, and before this assemblage, in the invitation 
of the South Carolina Institute, to deliver the Agricultural Address at 
its Annual Meeting and Exhibition. The continued feeling of respect 
and regard for your people — the unabated wish to promote their best in- 
terests — the still surviving ambition (however feebly now encouraged by 
hope,) of addyag to my own reputation by the performance of good 
and enduring service to your country and to mankind — all have co-op- 
erated again to draw me to this scene and to this effort. The honorary 
and transient, and altogether agreeable service now undertaken, is, in- 
deed, a continuation of the former service of protracted labour and ex- 
ertion, and of peril to health ; and the present occasion will be used to 
urge the same great objects as were sought formerly. 

It is, perhaps, superfluous for me to tell this audience, that I am as 
unaccustomed as unqualified to speak before public assemblages. I have 
not the ability, nor the habit of attempting to frame or to utter the lan- 
guage of eloquent declamation — nor can I even offer to my hearers the 
ordinary smoothness and fluency of words of commonplace speakers. 
Therefore, I shall not affect or attempt the accomplishments of the ora- 
tor, which are so far beyond my reach ; but will simply and plainly 
state my general views of the importance, and the available profit, and 
other benefits to South Carolina, of the preservation and improvement 
of the fertility of her soil. 

In treating this general subject, my difficulty is not what to say that 
would be pertinent and important, but to avoid repeating what I have 
stated and urged upon former occasions. Were I to frame a discourse 
deemed by me the most suitable to my object, and without reference to 
similar views of mine being extant, (though probably now forgotten, if 
ever known to any of this audience,) I should but repeat, in different 
manner, the opinions and precepts which I long ago uttered, and en- 
deavoured to urge upon the consideration of your countrymen.* There 

* Many of the earlier written opinions here referred to, are scattered through dif- 
ferent volumes of the " Farmer's Register." A later and much more elaborate ar- 
ticle was presented in my " Report of the Commencement and Progress of the 
Agricultural Survey of South Carolina." Some of my views in reference to tho 
improvement of barren pine lands, and the draining and reclaiming of river swamps, 
which I deemed not well enough digested, or the facts on which they were found- 
ed too little known, (because of my slight opportunities for observation,) to be in- 
cluded in my report, were subsequently written to the Hon. Whitemarsh B. Sea- 



is not, then, much left for me to offer of new as well as original views. 
But though the great objects of my recommendation will not be novel, 
the grounds or reasons urged for their adoption, will be mainly of latter 
occurrence. The particular object of the address which will now be 
read, is to exhibit in full, and place in contrast, the opposite results on 
a country and people, of exhausting and improving systems of Agricul- 
ture. 

In every feeling and opinion there is no more true and zealous South- 
erner than myself. I have long studied the domestic life and institu- 
tions, and social and moral condition of the peoj)le of the slave-holding 
States, and in every important respect, I may truly say, that I concur 
with, approve, and sympathize with yourselves on these subjects. Yet 
it is my present design and business not to treat of our many points of 
perfect agreement of opinion, but of the few of difference ; not to speak 
of your laudable works, but your errors ; and to apply to the planters 
of South Carolina, censure where deserved, as readily as I would ap- 
plaud them in other respects, which have no relation to my present gen- 
eral subject. Even in the general system of southern agriculture, in 
which there is so much to condemn, I cannot but admire the energy and 
intelligence exercised by the cultivators to attain the object usually 
sought — which is to draw from the land the greatest immediate pro- 
duction and profit. If their object were instead, as it ought to be, the 
greatest continued products and profits, and that object were pursued 
with as much ability, the people of South Carolina would soon stand in 
as exalted a position of agricultural success, as now and heretofore, for 
social and moral qualities, as men and citizens. Even for the few years 
which have passed since I investigated and reported upon your abun- 
dant resources for fertilization, and urged their use, if these means had 
been properly applied, already the agricultural production of half the 
arable lands of the State might have been increased full fifty per cent. 
I may dare to express this opinion, inasmuch as on a newly purchased 
farm, I have myself more than tripled that amount of increase by the 
means recommended, and within the same short time since uttering the 
precepts for the like improvement here. 

The great error of southern agriculture is the general practice of ex- | 
hausting culture — the almost universal deterioration of the productive 
power of the soil — which power is the main and essential foundation of 
all agricultural wealth. The merchant, or manufacturer, who was using 

brook, then Governor of the State, at his especial request — and were embodied in 
his * Essay on the Agricultural Capabilities of South Carolina," which was ad- 
dressed to the State Agricultural Society, and published in 1848, 



(without replacing) any part of his capital to swell his early income — 
or the ship-owner, who used as profit all his receipts from freight, allow- 
ing nothing for repairs, or deterioration of capital — would be accounted 
by all as in the sure road to bankruptcy. The joint-stock company that 
should (in good faith, as many have done by designed fraud,) annually 
pay out something of what ought to be its reserved fund, or of its ac- 
tual capital, to add so much to the dividends, would soon reach the 
point of being obliged to reduce the dividends below the original fair 
rate, and, in enough time, all the capital would be so absorbed. Yet 
this unprofitable procedure, which would be deemed the most marvel- 
lous folly in regard to any other kind of capital invested, is precisely 
that which is still generally pursued by the cultivators of the soil in all 
the cotton producing States, and which prevailed as generally, and much 
longer in my own country, and which, even now, is more usual there 
than the opposite course of fertilizing culture. The recuperative pow- 
ers of nature are indeed continually operating, and to great effect, to 
repair the waste of fertility caused by the destructive industry of man, 
and but for this natural and imperfect remedy, all these Southern States, 
and most of the Northern likewise, would be already barren deserts, in 
which agricultural labours' would be hopeless of reward, and civilized 
men could not exist. 

Let me not be understood as extending censure to all southern agri- 
culture, and charging this great defect as being universal. It is truly 
very general — but there are numerous exceptions, of which it is not my 
purpose to treat. My present business is with the errors and defects of 
southern agriculture, and not with its points of admitted excellence — as, 
for example, the elaborate system of rice culture, and, for other tillage, 
the very general and commendable attention paid to the collection of 
materials for putrescent manures. Nothing has appeared to me more 
remarkable in the agriculture of this region, than the close neighbour- 
hood, (often, indeed, seen on the same property,) of the best husbandry, 
in some respects, and almost the worst in most others. 

The great error of exhausting the fertility of the soil is not peculiar 
to cotton culture, or to the Southern States. It belongs, from necessity, 
to the agriculture of every newly settled country, and especially where 
the land, before being brought under tillage, was in the forest state. 
When first settled upon, forest land costs almost nothing, and labour is 
scarce and dear. Even if labour is more abundant, it still will be long 
before enough land can be cleared to allow changes of culture and rest 
to the fields ; and for some years after each new clearing, it would be 
even beneficial to continue the tillage of corn, tobacco or cotton, so as 



effectually to kill all remains of the forest growth. But as soon as 
enough land can be brought under culture, and has been put in clean 
condition, so as to allow space for change of crops and due respite from 
continual tillage, the previous exhausting course will no longer be best 
' even for early profit. Even in a new country, while land is yet fertile, 
it is cheaper to preserve that fertility from any exhaustion, than it is to 
reduce it considerably. And in an older agricultural country, like South 
Carolina, having abundant resources in marl and lime for improving fer- 
tility, it would be much cheaper, and more profitable, to improve an 
acre of before exhausted land, than it is to clear and bring under cul- 
ture an acre of ordinary land from the forest state, allowing that both 
pieces are to be brought to the same power and rate of production 

New settlers are not censurable for beginning this exhausting culture. 
But they and their successors are not the less condemnable for continu- 
ing it after the circumstances which justified it have ceased. The system 
was first begun in Eastern Virginia, because it was the first settled part 
of the present United States, and it continued to prevail almost universal- 
ly, until since the course of my adult life began, and only has partially 
ceased since, because the country was nearly reduced to barrenness and 
the proprietors to ruin. From this errroneous policy, so long pursued in 
Virginia, and the manifest and well known disastrous results in the gen- 
eral and seemingly desperate sterility of the older settled portion of the 
State, the j^ounger Southern States might have taken warning, and have 
learned to profit by the woful and costly experience of others. But it 
seems that every agricultural community must and will run the same 
race of exhausting culture, and impoverishment of land and its cultiva- 
tors, before being convinced of the propriety of commencing an oppo- 
site course — after the best means and facilities for making that beneficial 
change have been greatly impaired by the lapse of time, and progress 
of waste of fertility — if, indeed, these means are not then irretrievably 
forfeited. 

If, at this time, the work of improvement, with the aid of marl and 
lime, were properly begun and prosecuted, there would be found here 
incalculable advantages over those of the pioneers in the like work in 
Virginia. These advantages would be — first, a tenfold better supply of 
far richer and cheaper marl than is found in Virginia ; second, much 
more remaining organic matter, or original fertility of the soil, as yet 
unexhausted ; third, full information to be obtained of the operations 
and opinions of thousands of experienced and successful marlers to refer 
to, of which advantage there was almost nothing existing thirty yeara 
ago. In South Carolina more marling could now be done in a year, 



and in a proper manner, than was done in Virginia for the first twenty 
years ; and, though judging merely by analogy, I infer that the benefit 
would not be less great in this region than in my own. 

And now I will state, from unquestionable official documents, some- 
thing of what has been effected in Virginia, not merely in cases of par- 
ticular farms, and those entirely marled, which might show tripled or 
quadrupled products and market returns, and tenfold intrinsic value, 
compared to their former low condition, but cases showing the bearing 
of the comparatively few marled and limed farms on the aggregate 
assessed value of all the lands in lower Virginia, and upon the receipts 
of land tax from the same, although not one-twentieth part of the whole 
tide-water district has yet been improved in fertility, or is the least bet- 
ter (and, probably, the great remainder is much poorer,) than when the 
marling of other lands first began to raise the general average of as- 
sessed values throughout this whole district. 

It appears, from the latest state assessment of lands in Virginia, for 
1850, that the actual increase of value in the tide-water district only, 
since 1838, the previous assessment, was more than seventeen millions 
of dollars. On this increase of valuation, and at the same rate of tax- 
ation, there is more than $17,000 increase of land tax alone accruing 
annually to the state treasury. It is obvious that any increased value 
of lands, caused by their increased production, would necessarily require 
an increase of labour and of farming stock, and would produce propor- 
tional increase of general wealth of the improvers, and would add other 
receipts from taxes in proportion — all serving still more to augment the 
public revenue. 

The recent addition to the aggregate value of lands in Eastern Vir- 
ginia, is admitted to be the effect of agricultural improvements ; and 
that more than all the nett increase is due to marling and liming only, 
would be equally evident, if I could here adduce the proofs, as I have 
done elsewhere.'* Further; though 1838 was the date of the earliest 
assessment made after marling and liming had begun to increase aggre- 
gate production and value of lands, it is an unquestionable fact that the 
general impoverishment had been greater, and values much lower, about 
1828. And if this earlier time and greatest depression had been 
marked by an assessment then made, the full increased value of lands 
from that time, would have appeared at least $30,000,000 in 1850, in- 

* In a communication recently made to the State Agricultural Society of Vir- 
ginia, on " Some of the Results of the Improvement of lands, by Calcareous Ma- 
nures, on Public Interests in Virginia, in the increase of Production, Population, 
General Wealth and Revenue to the Treasury." 



stead of seventeen and a quarter millions, counting from the already 
partially advanced improvement and enhanced values of 1838. How- 
ever, even if these, my deductions and estimates, go for nothing, there 
will still remain the proof, by official documents, of the actual increase 
of value of lands in twelve years, of seventeen and a quarter millions, 
or nearly one and a half millions yearly. 

Now bear in mind that these are not the results of the improving of 
all the tide-water region, nor all of its much smaller arable portion, but, 
probably, of not more than one-twentieth of the cultivated land. All 
the remainder, if uncultivated, is stationary ; and if cultivated, is gen- 
erally in a continued course of exhaustion ; and the small quantity of 
enriched land had first to make up for all deficiencies of the impover- 
ished, and lessenings of production throughout the whole tide-water 
district, and after all such deductions, still exhibited a clear surplus of 
seventeen and a quarter millions of increased aggregate value. This is 
the result of but the beginning, and a very recent beginning of mea- 
sures for improvement, executed in every case imperfectly, often inju- 
diciously, and sometimes injuriously, and altogether on less than one- 
twentieth of the space on which calcareous manures are available. The 
great omitted space will hereafter be fertilized in the same manner. 
Then the actual increase of value of lands, founded on increased pro- 
duction, will be counted by hundreds of millions of dollars. And this 
anticipated enormous amount of fertility and capital to be created, might 
have been even now in possession, if our improvements by calcareous 
manures had been begun thirty years earlier, instead of there having 
been continued through all that time, the progress of wasting and de- 
stroying the remaining powers of the soil. South Carolina began ex- 
hausting culture much later, and is now full fifty years less advanced 
towards the lowest depth of that full descent which we had nearly com- 
pleted. If that future of fifty years of continued exhaustion could now 
be cut off, and the improvement of lower South Carolina by calcareous 
manures could be at once begun and continued, the loss of at least one 
hundred millions of dollars of now remaining value would be saved, 
and a gain of three hundred millions from improvement would be 
reached sooner by the same fifty years. , This would be better, by all 
the great value, than even the following out precisely the first sinking 
and now rising course of lower Virginia. In that region, the cultiva- 
tors waited until the fertility of the land had so nearly expired, that it 
was supposed to be in articulo mortis — at the last gasp — before the 
work of resuscitation was begun. 

The comparative results of the opposite systems of improving and 



10 

exhausting cultivation may be thus illustrated. Suppose a certain in- 
vestment of capital will yield twenty per cent, of present annual inter- 
est, or nett products, and two persons invest equal amounts in the busi- 
ness. The more provident one draws and spends but fifteen per cent, 
annually of his income, and leaves the remaining five per cent, to accu- 
mulate and to be added to his interest-bearing capital. The other pro- 
prietor draws each year, and spends all of the certain and annual average 
returns of his capital, and five per cent, more of the capital stock itself. 
He reasons (may I say it ?) like many cotton planters, and infers that 
so small a detraction from his capital will do no harm, as he will have 
bo much the more of quick returns for immediate use or re-investment. 
In less than twenty years, one of these individuals will have doubled his 
original capital, and also his twenty per cent, income, and the other will 
have exhausted his entire fund. 

But it may be said, (as alleged in regard to the squanderers of fertil- 
ity,) that as the latter person had received so much more of annual 
returns at first, he might have re-invested and thus have retained his 
over-draughts of annual products. If a planter — and, of course, his 
over-draughts had been from the fertility of his land — he might have 
bought another plantation, to work and to wear out in like manner. 
But even if so, wherein would be the gain ? He would have had the 
disadvantages of a change of investment, of removal, and making a 
new settlement. But where one man would so save and re-invest 
his over-draughts from his capital, two others would use, or, perhaps, 
spend theirs, as if so much actual clear profit or permanent income. 
When the land is utterly worn out and the total capital of fertility 
wasted, (or the small remnant is incapable of paying the expenses of 
farther cultivation,) it will most generally be found that the channels 
into which the early full streams of income flowed, are then as dry as 
the sources. 

I do not mean that it necessarily follows that the planter who ex- 
hausts his land, also lessens his general wealth. Would that it were so. 
For, then, such certain and immediate retribution would speedily stop 
the whole course of wrong doing and prevent all the consequent evils. 
It may be rarely, and it might be never the case, that the exhauster of 
land becomes absolutely p6orer during the operation. He will have 
helped to impoverish his country, and to ruin it finally, (by the same 
general policy being continued,) he will have destroyed as much of 
God's bounties as the wasted fertility, if remaining, would have supplied 
forever, and as many human beings as those supplies would have sup- 
ported, will be prevented from existing. And yet the mighty destroyer 



11 

may Lave increased his own wealth. Nevertheless, he does not escape 
his own, and even the largest share of the general loss he has caused. 
While thus destroying, say $20,000 worth of fertility, the planter, by 
the exercise of industry, economy and talent in other departments of 
his business, or from other resources, may have grown richer by $10,000. 
But if, as I believe is always true, it is as cheap and profitable to save 
as to waste fertility, in the whole term of culture, then the planter, in 
this case, might have gained in all $30,000 of capital, if he had saved, 
instead of wasting, the original productive power of his land. 

Even if admitting the common fallacy which prevails in every newly 
settled country, that it is profitable to each individual cultivator to wear 
out his land, still, by his doing so, and all his fellow proprietors doing 
the like, while each one might be adding to his individual wealth, the 
joint labours of all would be exhausting the common stock of wealth, 
and greatly impairing the common welfare and interest of all. The 
average life of a man is long enough to reduce the fertility of his cul- 
tivated land to one half, or less. Thus, one generation of exhausting 
cultivators, if working together, would reduce their country to one half 
of its former production, and, in proportion, would be reduced the gen- 
eral income, wealth and means of living, population and the products 
of taxation, and, in time, would as much decline the measure of moral, 
intellectual and social advantages, the political power and military 
strength of the commonwealth. The destructive operations of the ex- 
hausting cultivator have most important influence far beyond his own 
lands and his own personal interests. He reduces the wealth and pop- 
ulation of his country and the world, and obstructs the progress and 
benefits of education, the social virtues, and even moral and religious 
culture. For upon the productions of the earth depends more or less 
the measure to be obtained, by the people of any country, of these and 
all other blessings which a community can enjoy. There is, however, 
one very numerous class of exceptions to this general rule, which is, 
when an agricultural people, or interest, is tributary to some other peo- 
ple or interest, whether foreign or at home. Such exceptions are pre- 
sented in different modes, by the agriculture of Cuba being tributary 
to Spain, of many other countries to their own despotic and oppressive 
home governments ; and of the southern states of this confederacy, to 
greater or less extent, to different pauper and plundering interests of the 
northern states, which, through legislative enactments, have been main- 
ly fostered and supported by levying tribute upon southern agriculture 
and industry. 

The reason why such woful results of impoverishment of lands, as 



12 



Lave been stated, are not seen to follow the causes, and speedily, is that 
the causes are not all in action at once and in equal progress. The la- 
bours of exhausting culture, also, are necessarily suspended, as each of 
the cultivators' fields is successively worn out. And when tillage so 
ceases, and any space is thus left at rest, nature immediately goes to 
work to recruit and replace as much as possible of the wasted, fertility, 
until another destroyer, after many years, shall return again to waste, 
and in much shorter time than before, the smaller stock of fertility so 
renewed. Thus, the whole territory so scourged, is not destroyed at one 
operation. But though these changes and partial recoveries are contin- 
ually, to some extent, counteracting the labours for destruction, still the 
latter work is in general progress. It may require (as it did in my na- 
tive region,) more than two hundred years from the first settlement, to 
reach the lowest degradation. But that final result is not the less cer- 
tainly to be produced by the continued action of the causes. I have 
witnessed, at home, nearly the last stage of decline. But I have also 
witnessed, subsequently, and over large spaces, more than the complete 
resuscitation of the land, and great improvement in almost every re- 
spect, not only to individual, but to public interests ; not only in regard 
to fertility and wealth, but also in mental, moral and social improve- 
ment. 

Inasmuch as my remarks would seem to ascribe the most exhausting 
system of cultivation especially to the slave-holding States, the enemies 
of the institution of slavery might cite my opinions, if without the ex- 
planation which will now be offered, as indicating that slave labour and 
exhausting tillage were necessarily connected as cause and effect. I 
readily admit that our slave labour has served greatly to facilitate our 
exhausting cultivation; but only because it is a great facility — far supe 
nor to any found in the non-slaveholding States — for all agricultural 
operations. Of course, if our operations are exhausting of fertility, then 
certainly our command of cheaper and more abundant labour enables 
us to do the work of exhaustion, as well as all other work, more rapidly 
and effectually. But if directed to improving, instead of destroying 
fertility, then this great and valuable aid of slave-labour will as much 
more advance improvement, as it has generally heretofore advanced ex- 
haustion. The enunciation of this proposition is perhaps enough. But 
if any, from prejudice, should deny or doubt its truth, they may see the 
practical proofs on all the most improved aud profitable farms of Lower 
and Middle Virginia. On the lands of our best improvers and farmers, 
such as Richard Sampson, Hill Carter, John A. Selden, William B. 
Harrison, Willoughby Newton, and many others, slave-labour is used 



13 

not only exclusively and in larger than usual proportion, (because more 
required on very productive land,) but is deemed indispensable to the 
greatest profits, and operating to produce more increase of* fertility, and 
more agricultural profit, than can be exhibited from any purely agricul- 
tural, labours and capital north of Mason and Dixon's line. 

There is another and stronger reason for the greater exhausting effects 
of southern agriculture, and, therefore, of tillage by slave-labour. The 
great crops of all the slave-holding States, and especially of the more 
southern — corn, tobacco and cotton — are all tilled crops. The frequent 
turning and loosening of the earth by the plough and hoe — and far 
more, when continued without intermission year after year — advance the 
decomposition and waste of all organic matter, and expose the soil of 
all but the most level surfaces to destructive washing by rains — and 
rains the more heavy and destructive in power, in proportion as ap- 
proaching the south. The northern farmer is guarded from the worst 
of these results, not because he uses free-labour, but because his labour 
is so scarce and dear that he uses as little as possible for his purposes. 
Besides this consideration, his climate is more suitable to grass than to 
grain, and his other large crops are much more generally broad-cast 
than tilled. These are sufficient causes why, in general, the culture of 
land in the Northern States should be less exhausting than in the South- 
ern, without detracting anything from the superior advantages which 
we of the South enjoy, in the use of African slave-labour. 

At the risk of uttering what may be deemed trite or superfluous to 
many of those who now honour me by their attention I beg leave to 
state concisely, the fundamental laws, as I conceive them to be, of sup- 
ply and exhaustion of fertilizing matters to soils, and aliment to plants. 

All vegetable growth is supported, for a small part, by the alimentary 
principles in the soil, (or by what we understand as its fertility,) and 
partly, and for much the larger portion, by matters supplied, either di- 
rectly or indirectly, from the atmosphere. More than nine-tenths usual- 
ly of the substance of every plant is composed of the same four ele- 
ments, three of which, oxygen, nitrogen and carbon, compose the whole 
atmosphere. The fourth, hydrogen, is one of the constituent parts of 
water ; and, also, as a part of the dissolved water, hydrogen is always 
present in the atmosphere, and in great quantity. Thus, all these prin- 
cipal elements of plants are superabundant, and always surrounding 
every growing plant ; and from the atmosphere, (or through water in 
the soil) very much the larger portion of these joint supplies is furnished 
to plants ; and so it is of each particular element, except nitrogen; 
much the smallest ingredient, and yet the richest and most important 



14 

of all organic manuring substances, and of all plants. This, for the 
greater part, if not for all of its small share in plants, it seems is not 
generally derived even partially from the air, though so abundant there- 
in, but from the soil, or from organic manures given so the soil. 

But though bountiful nature has offered these chief alimentary prin- 
ciples and ingredients of vegetable growth in as inexhaustible profusion 
as the atmosphere itself, which they compose, still their availability and 
beneficial use for plants are limited, in some measure, to man's labours 
and care to secure their benefits. Thus, for illustration, suppose the 
natural supplies of food for plants furnished by the atmosphere to be 
three-fourths of all received, and that one-fourth only of the growth of 
any crop is derived from the soil and its fertility. Still, a strict propor- 
tion between the amount of supplies from these two different sources, 
does not the less exist. It* the cultivator's land, at any one time, from 
its natural or acquired fertility, affords to the growing crop alimentary 
principles of value to be designated as five, there will be added thereto 
other alimentary parts, equal to fifteen in value, from the atmosphere. 
The crop will be made up of, and will contain, the whole twenty parts, 
of which five only were derived from, and served to reduce, by so much, 
the fertility of the soil. These proportions are stated merely for illustra- 
tion, and, of course, are inaccurate. But the theory or principle is cor- 
rect ; and the law of fertilization and exhaustion, thence deduced, is as 
eertaiuly sound. 

Then, upon these premises, there is taken from the land, for the sup- 
port of the crop, but one-fourth of the aliment derived from all sources 
for that purpo.-e. And, if no other causes of destruction of fertility 
were in operation, one green or manuring crop, (wholly given to the 
land and wholly used as manure,) would supply to the field as much of 
alimentary or fertilizing matter as would be drawn thence by three 
other crops, removed for consumption or sale. But in practice there 
are usually at work important agencies for destruction of fertility, be- 
sides the mere supply of aliment to growing crops. Such agencies are, 
the washing off of soluble parts, and even the soil itself, by heavy rains, 
the hastening of decomposition and waste of organic matter, by fre- 
quent tillage processes and changes of exposure — and ploughing or 
other working of land when too wet, either from rain or want of drain- 
age. Also, a cover of weeds left to rot on the surface, or any crop 
ploughed under, green or dry, as manure, is subject to more or less 
waste of its alimentary piinciples, in the course of the ensuing decom- 
position. Therefore it is nearer the facts, that two years' crops or cul- 
ture, for market or removal, would require one year's growth of some 
manuring crop to replace and to maintain undiminished, or increasing, 



15 

the productive power of the field. The poorest and also the "cheapest 
of such manuring crops, will be the. natural or " volunteer" growth of 
weeds on land left uncultivated, and not grazed ; and the best of all will 
be furnished in the whole product of a broad-cast sown and entire crop 
of your own most fertilizing and valuable field peas. 

Thus, of each manuring crop, (as of all others,) or of the fertili- 
zing matter thus given to the land, the cultivator has contributed but 
five parts from the land, or its previous manuring, and the atmosphere 
has supplied fifteen parts. If, then, the cultivator by still more increas- 
ing his own contributions, will give ten parts of alimentary matter to 
the land and crop, there will be added thereto from the atmosphere in 
the same three-fold proportion, or thirty parts, and the whole new pro- 
ductive power will be equal to forty. And if the soil is fitted by its 
natural constitution, or the artificial change induced by calcareous 
applications, to fix and retain this double supply of organic matter, the 
land will not only be made, but will remain, as of much increased fer- 
tility, under the subsequent like course of receiving one year's product 
for manure, for every two other crops removed. But, on the other 
hand, if more exhausting culture had been allowed, instead of either in- 
creased or maintained production — or if the crops take away more or- 
ganic matter than nature's three-fold contributions will replace — then a 
downward progress must begin, and will proceed, whether slowly or 
quickly, to extreme poverty of the land, its profitless cultivation, and 
final abandonment. In this, the more usual case, the cultivator's con- 
tributions of aliment, (obtained from the soil,) are reduced from the for- 
mer value, designated as five, first to four, and next successively to three, 
two, and finally less than one ; and nature keeps equal pace in reducing 
her proportional supplies, from fifteen, first to twelve, and so on to nine 
and six, and less than three parts. So the strongest inducement is 
offered to enrich, rather than exhaust the soil. For whatever amount 
of fertility the cultivator shall bestow, or whatever abstraction from a 
a previous rate of supply he shall make, either the gain or the loss will 
be tripled in the account of supplies from the atmosphere, furnished or 
withheld by nature. 

In another and more practical point of view, the loss incurred by ex- 
hausting culture, may be plainly exhibited. According to my views, 
(elsewhere fully stated,*) soils supposed to be properly constituted as 

* In a recent communication to the Virginia State. Agricultural Society, enti- 
tled " New Views of the Theory and Laws of Rotation of Crops, and their practi- 
cal application." These views I deem especially applicable to the agricultural 
condition of South-Carolina, and of importance next to the main subject of the pre- 
sent address. 



16 

to mineral ingredients, do not demand for the maintaining and increas- 
ing of tlieir rate of production, more than the resting or the growth of 
two years in every five,- mainly to be left on the land as manure. These 
are the proportions of the five- field rotation, now extensively used on 
the most improving parts of Virginia. And one of these two years the 
field is grazed, so that parts of its growth of grass is consumed, instead 
of all remaining on the field for manure. To meet the same demands, 
the more southern planter might leave his field to be covered by its 
growth of weeds (or natural grasses) one year, (and also to be grazed,) 
and a broad-cast crop of pea-vines to be ploughed under in another for 
every three crops of grain and cotton. But the ready answer to this, 
(and I have heard it many times,) is, " What! lose two crops in every 
five years ? I cannot afford to lose even one." It may be that the 
planter is so diligent and careful in collecting materials for prepared 
manure, that he can extend a thin and poor application, and in the 
drills only, over nearly half his cotton field; and perhaps he persuades 
himself that this application will obviate the necessity for rest and ma- 
nuring crops to the land. The result will not fulfil this expectation. 
But even if it could, the manuring thus given diiectly by the labour of the 
planter, is more costly than if he would allow time and opportunity for 
nature to help to manure for him — whether alone, or still better if aided 
by preparing for and sowing the native pea, to the production of which 
your climate is so eminently favourable. All the accumulations of leaves 
raked from the poor pine forest, with the slight additional value which 
may be derived from the otherwise profitless maintenance of poor cattle, 
will supply less of food to plants, and at greater cost, than would be 
furnished by an unmixed growth of peas, all left to serve as manure. 

The native or southern pea, (as it ought to be called) of such general 
and extensive culture in this and other, as Southern States, is the most 
valuable of manuring crops, and also offers great and peculiar advanta- 
ges as a rotation crop. The seeds, (in common with other peas and beans,) 
are more nutritious as food, for man and beast, than any of the cereal 
grains. The other parts of the plant furnish the best and most palatable 
provender for beasts. The crop may be so well made, in your climate, 
as a secondary growth under corn, that it is never allowed to be a pri- 
mary crop, or to have entire possession of the land. It will grow well 
broad cast, and either in that way, and still better if tilled, is 
an admirable cleansing growth. It is even better than clover as a pre- 
paring and manuring crop for wheat. In one or other of the various 
modes in which the pea-crop may be produced, it may be made to suit 
well in a rotation with any other crops. Though for a long time I had 



11 

believed in some of the great advantages of the pea crop, and bad even 
commenced its culture as a manuring crop, and on a large scale, it was 
not until I afterwards saw the culture, growth and uses in South-Caroli- 
na, that I learned to estimate its value properly, and perhaps more fully 
than is done by any who, in this State avail themselves so largely 
of some of its benefits. Since, I have made this crop a most important 
member of my rotation ; and its culture, as a manuring crop, has now 
become general in my neighbourhood, and is rapidly extending to more 
distant places. If all the advantages offered by this crop were fully ap- 
preciated and availed of, the possession of this plant in your climate 
would be one of the greatest agricultural blessings of this and more 
Southern States. For my individual share of this benefit, stinted as it 
is by our colder climate, I estimate it as adding, at least, one thousand 
bushels of wheat annually to my crop. 

From this digression to a particular branch, I will now return to the 
general subject, of the neglect of rest and manuring crops, for land. 

The incessant cultivator does not the less rest, and lose the use of his 
land, by refusing any cessation of tillage so long as he can avoid it. If 
such cultivators manure so abundantly that there is no general decline 
of production, then they do not come under my past remarks and cen- 
sure. If there be any such, I will only say of their mode of maintaining 
fertility, that -it is less effectual and more costly, than if aided and sub- 
stituted in part by manuring crops and a judicious rotation of crops. 
Butas to many other planters, who, whether slowly or rapidly, are certainly 
impoverishing their lands, they will, at some future period, be com- 
pelled to allow a greater proportion of time for the land to rest, and to 
greater disadvantage, and less profit, than if allowing regularly either 
one year in three or two in five. Suppose the land to yield cotton, (or 
sometimes corn,) continuously for thirty, or even forty years — or, with 
much manuring, sixty years. In such cases, it is true, there were as 
many crops obtained as the land was kept years for tillage. But after 
the first few years, the products were declining; and for the last five or 
ten years, on the general average, they scarcely paid more than the ex- 
penses of cultivation. The crops also suffered during the whole time 
the evils of a want of rotation, and the land of want of change of con- 
dition. At the close, the land must be turned out to rest, because 
manifestly, not worth longer cropping. This compelled cessation and 
rest will continue for twenty, thirty, or forty years, when the land will 
be again cleared of its second (or perhaps its third) growth of trees ; 
and with this and other extra labours, will be again brought under con- 
tinued tillage, to be again, and much more speedily, exhausted of its 
o 



smaller recovered amount of productive power. In this maimer, though 
at lono- intervals, more than the full proportion of rest, required by an 
improving system of rotation, is given to the land, and enforced by its 
exhaustion ; and the manner is such as to make the least return of 
benefit for the greatest expense incurred for the respite of the land from 
cultivation. 

My former engagement in South-Carolina, and the then especial ob- 
ject of my investigations and labours, served to make me better acquain- 
ted with a large portion of your territory than any other as extensive 
elsewhere. From that acquaintance was derived the opinion, which I 
have since asserted and still maintain, that no other as extensive region, 
known to me, possesses half as great advantages and resources for agri- 
cultural improvements, or more needs the employment of these means. 
The proper and full use of your wonderfully abundant, rich and easily 
accessible marl, and the recent shells and other marine remains, offer 
the best principle aud indispensable means of fertilization, and which are 
available for half your territory. Another great resource, aud almost 
as much neglected, is presented in your great inland swamps, now only 
wide-spread seed-beds of disease, pestilence and death ; and which, by 
drainage, with certainty and great profit, might be converted into dry 
fields of exuberant fertility. It is true, that existing legal obstacles op- 
pose these extensive plans for drainage ; but these dfficulties might be 
removed by wise legislation, with great benefit to the interests of all 
concerned — and improvements might be permitted and invited which 
would render these now worthless and pestilential swamps as fruitful as 
the celebrated borders of the Po. 

The draining of the inland swamps of rich alluvial soil, together with 
the general application of marl to these and also to the now cultivated 
higher ground, would go far to remove the long prevailing unhealthi- 
ness to which Lower South-Carolina is subject, and which is the only 
important evil which is not entirely in the power of the inhabitants to 
remedy. I will not presume to say how far this great evil may be les- 
sened by these works of industry and improvement. But, when so 
much of your country consists of low and wet swamp, and of partially 
wet, higher lands, and all easy to be drained, it does not seem over-san- 
guine to suppose, that, with such drainage and the general extension of 
the also sanitary operation of marling and liming, the country would be 
as much improved in healthiness, as in fertility. Such change to greater 
healthiness has been most marked in my own country, in the exten- 
sively marled neighbourhoods, even where there has been no consider- 
able draining operations executed or required. This improvement of 



19 

health, is ascribed by all who have experienced the beneficial change, 
mainly to the sanitary influence of the now calcareous soil. 

Your extensive and rich river swamp lands offer another great object 
for improvement, and increase of agricultural profit and wealth. Even 
" sandy pine barrens," now unfit for tillage, or for any useful produc- 
tion, other than the magnificent pine forests which cover them, if made 
calcareous and put under Bermuda grass, (the curse of tillage lands so 
infested) would be made as valuable land for pasturage, as the equally 
barren chalk downs of England. 

Your high lands are mostly level, or of gently undulating surface, 
and easy to till, and the soils generally well suited to your great staple 
crops, corn and cotton. The navigable rivers which pervade Lower 
South-Carolina, in their number and character, present a remarkable 
geographical feature, as singular as it is valuable. The main canals re- 
quired for extensive drainage of the inland swamps, would be so many 
additions to the existing navigable highways. So low are the interven- 
ing swamp lands, that nearly all the deep navigable rivers, might be 
connected by canals of level or nearly level water ; and in that respect, 
Lower South-Carolina might possess the peculiar facilities of Holland 
for extensive inland navigation. These connecting canals, by diverting 
some of the superfluous supply of fresh waters of some rivers, to others 
where it is deficient, might perhaps serve to extend greatly the present 
area of tide covered land, capable of being flooded for rice culture. If 
such canals, mainly for drainage, but serving also for navigation, were 
made to connect the Edisto with the Ashley, the Cooper and the San- 
tee, there would be another incidental advantage as remarkable as it 
would be valuable. The excavation of the canals through the great 
swamps, (and certainly between those stretching from the Ashley 
nearly to the Santee,) would generally penetrate into marl of the rich- 
est quality, lying a few feet below the surface of the swamps. If duly 
appreciated, this rich calcareous earth, to be used as manure, would go 
far to reimburse the costs of the excavation; and if used for lime-burning, 
would furnish good lime, and at one-third of the price of that for which 
South-Carolina has paid and continues to pay millions of dollars to the 
lime-burners of New-England. This voluntary tribute, at least, which 
is one of so many unnecessarily paid by the South to the North, might 
be ended to the immediate and great profit of both the sellers and the 
buyers of the substituted lime, made of the abundant, cheap and excel- 
lent native material. The buying of Northern lime by South-Carolina 
and Georgia, is as unprofitable and as absurd a procedure as the usage 
of importing Northern hay. But of these and of many similar things. 



20 

we of the South have no right to blame any but ourselves. All the 
commodities which we import from the Northern States, and which 
might be more cheaply provided at home, serve indeed to make up an 
enormous amount of annual tribute. But this part of our general bur- 
den is fairly and properly levied by northern enterprise and industry 
upon southern listlessness and indolence. Very different, however, is 
the case as to the far greater proportion of the general amount of tri- 
bute paid by southern to northern interests — from which we have no 
defence, because government induces and enforces the payment, by the 
legislative machinery of protecting duties and the indirect bounty sys- 
tem. But I am straying from my designed subject, the improvement 
of southern agriculture to its governmental and political oppression. 

Putting aside all speculative and u«tried subjects and modes of im- 
provement — and counting upon nothing more than the proper use of 
your calcareous manures and judicious tillage, and the early results of 
both — and supposing that your country should be so benefitted only in 
the same degree as has been the small portion of mine already marled 
or limed — the most moderate estimate of the agricultural values so to 
be created would now appear to you to be so greatly exaggerated as to 
be altogether incredible. But however much I would desire to avoid 
the position of a discredited witness, I will not be restrained by that 
fear from stating general results, which are notorious in Virginia, and 
to sustain the truth of which, thousands of particular facts can be ad- 
duced. These results, susceptible of clear proof, or exhibited by offi- 
cial documents, are that thousands of farms have been doubled or trip- 
pled, and some quadrupled in production, and the general wealth of 
their proprietors as much increased — the assessed values of marled 
lands increased by many millions of dollars, while those of similar lands, 
not so treated, have continued to decline as all did before ; and the trea- 
sury of the commonwealth is already benefitted by many thousands of 
dollars received annually from the counties containing these improved 
•ands, and derived from them, while the revenue from lands of the 
neighbouring and before similar counties, is still decreasing. 

So far, I have spoken as to benefits which have already occurred, and 
which are unquestionable, and which have been derived from resources 
and facilities for improvement not to be compared in amount and value 
with those of South-Carolina. I have elsewhere estimated the possible 
future and full fruition of this system of improvement, in Lower Virginia 
only, at five hundred millions of dollars of increased pecuniary value 
of capital thereby to be created. The full employment of your much 
greater resources of this kind, and over as wide a surface, would not be 



21 

worth less. Then your other great resources, which have been named 
but not estimated, would be so much more in addition. 

But agricultural production and pecuniary values are not the only 
or the greatest gains ; and though others rest upon opinion only, and 
are incapable of being measured, their existence and their value are not 
the less acknowledged by all judicious observers, in our country most 
improved in agricultural production by calcareous manures. The im- 
provement of health has been mentioned ; the improvement of econo- 
mical and social habits, morals and refinement, and better education 
for the growing generation, have been sure consequences of greatly in- 
creased and enduring agricultural profits ; and these moral results will 
hereafter be increased, in full proportion to the physical and indus- 
trial producing causes. Population, though a later effect, is already 
sensibly advanced by these agricultural causes. The strength, phy- 
sical, intellectual and moral, as well as the wealth and revenue of the 
commonwealth of Virginia, will soon derive new and great increase from 
the growing improvement of that one and smallest of the great divisions 
of her territory, which was the poorest by natural constitution — still 
more the poorest by long exhausting tillage — its best population gone, or 
going away, and the remaining portion sinking into apathy and degra- 
dation, and having no hope left, except that which was almost univer- 
sally entertained of fleeing from the ruined country, and renewing the 
like work of destruction on the fertile lands of the far west. Terms of 
reproach and contempt, (once not undeserved,) have been so long and 
so freely bestowed on this tide-water region of Virginia, and had be- 
come so fixed by use, that it will be long before they will cease to be 
deemed applicable ; or before inany persons who now know this region, 
only by the memory of former report, will learn that it is not altogether 
a land of galled and gullied slopes, or broomsedge-covered fields, over 
whose impoverished and dwindling population, indolence and malarious 
disease contend for mastery. 

From these matters, referred to for proof or illustration, I return to 
my main subject, more immediately connected with, and more likely to 
be interesting to my auditors. 

There is not one of the industrial classes of mankind, more estimable 
for private worth and social virtues, than the landholders and cultiva- 
tors of the Southern States. With them, unbounded hospitality is so 
universal, that it is not a distinguishing virtue — and in truth, this vir- 
tue has been carried to such excess, as to become a vicious tendency. 
Honourable, high-minded, kindly in feeling and action, both to neigh- 
bours and to strangers— ready to sacrifice self-interest for the public 



22 

weal — such are ordinary qualities and characteristics of southern plan- 
ters. Many of the most intelligent men of this generally intelligent 
class, are ready enough to accept and to apply to themselves and their 
fellow planters, the name of " land killers." But while thus admitting, 
or even assuming this term of jocose reproach, they have not deemed 
as censurable or injurious, their conduct on which this reproach was 
predicated. They have regarded their "land-killing" policy and prac- 
tice merely as affecting their own personal and individual interests — and 
if judged by their continued action, they must believe that their 
interests are thereby best promoted. Their error, in regard to their own 
interests, great as may be, is incomparably less than the mistake as to 
other and general interests not being thus affected. As I have already 
admitted, individuals may acquire wealth by this system of impoverishing 
culture, though the amount of accumulation is still much abated by the 
attendant waste of fertility. But with the impoverishment of its soil, a 
country, a people, must necessarily and equally be impoverished. In- 
dividual planters may desert the fields they have exhausted in South- 
Carolina, and find new and fertile lands to exhaust in Alabama. And 
when the like work of waste and desolation is completed in Alabama, 
the spoilers, (whether with or without retaining a portion of the spoils,) 
may still proceed to Texas or to California. But South-Carolina and 
Alabama, must, nevertheless, suffer and pay the full penalty of all the 
impoverishment so produced. The people, who remain to constitute 
these States respectively, as communities, are not spared one tittle of 
the enormous evils produced — not only those of their own destructive 
labours, but of all the like and previous labours of their fellow-citizens and 
predecessors who had fled from the ruin which they had helped to produce. 
And these evils to the community and to posterity, greater than could 
be effected by the most powerful and malignant foreign enemies of any 
country, are the regular and deliberate work of benevolent and intelli- 
gent men, of worthy citizens, and true lovers of their country. 

I will not pursue this uninviting theme to its end — that lowest de- 
pression which surely awaits every country and people subjected to the 
effects of the "land-killing" policy. The actual extent of the progress 
toward that end, throughout the Southern States, ought to be sufficiently 
appalling, to induce a thorough change of procedure and reformation of 
the agricultural system of the South. 

In addition to all increase of the other benefits of agricultural im- 
provement which have been cited — pecuniary, social, intellectual and 
moral — there would be an equal increase of political power, both at 
home and abroad, which at this and the near approaching time, would 



23 

be especially important to the well-being and the defence of the South- 
ern States, and the preservation of their yet remaining rights, and al- 
ways vital interests. If Virginia, South Carolina, and the other older 
slave-holding States, had never been reduced in productiveness, but, on 
the contrary, had been improved according to their capacity, they would 
have retained nearly all the population they have lost by emigration* 
and that retained population, with its increase, would have given them 
more than a doubled number of representatives in the Congress of the 
United States. This greater strength would have afforded abundant 
legislative safeguards against the plunderings and oppressions of tariffs 
to protect Northern interests — compromises (so-called) to swell North- 
ern power — pension and bounty laws for the same purposes — and all 
such acts to the injury of the South, effected by the greater legislative 
strength of the now more powerful, and to us, the hostile and predatory 
States of the confederacy. Even after Virginia, with more than Esau 
like fatuity, had sacrificed her magnificent north-western territory, which 
now constitutes five great and fertile States, (and a surplus to make, by 
legislative fraud, a large part of a sixth State,*) and all of which are 
now among the most hostile to the rights of the people of the South — 
if Virginia had merely retained and improved the fertility of her pre- 
sent reduced surface, her people would not have removed. Their de- 
scendants would now be south of the Ohio, ready and able to maintain 
the rights of the Southern States, instead of a large proportion, as now, 
serving to swell the numbers, and give efficient power to our most ma- 
lignant enemies. The loss of both political and military strength, to 
Virginia and South Carolina, are not less than all other losses, the cer- 
tain consequences of the impoverishment of their soil. 

If it were possible that, for all lower South-Carolina, the system of 
improvement could be directed by one mind and will, as much as the 

*A condition made by the Government of Virginia, in the act of cession, to the Uni- 
ted States of all her north western territory, was that this territory should afterwards 
be divided into not more than five new States. Five have already been carved out 
of this great domain, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, and a space 
of 22,336 square miles remains, in the new territory of Minnesota, which will here- 
after constitute so much of another State, in violation of the act of cession by Vir- 
ginia, and of the faith of the present Federal Government, and in which space, 
with all the north-western territory, slavery was interdicted by the ordinance of 
1787, of the Confederation. This space of 22,336 square miles, which ought to 
have been included in the five anti-slavery States already formed, but which will go 
to constitute a sixth, is nearly as large as South Carolina, and larger, by nearly 1000 
square miles, than the united surfaces of New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Con- 
necticut. 



24 

operations of any one great individual estate, the most magnificent re- 
sults could be obtained, with great and certain profit, and in a few 
years. Without any additional labour or capital, more than now pos- 
sessed, for beginning the improvement — and with only the subsequent 
increase of means which would be supplied by the clear profits of the 
improvements as they became productive — most of the lands accessible 
to marl or lime could be covered by these manures in ten years. In 
twenty years from this day, all such lands could be thus improved, and, 
by that time, might yield doubled or tripled general products, and would 
exhibit a proportionally greater increase of value as capital. The new 
clear profits of this one great improvement would be enough in amount 
to effect all the practicable drainage of inland and river swamps in 
twenty years more. Or, in that additional time, the increased revenue 
of the State treasury, from these new sources only, would suffice to con- 
struct all the great works of drainage, Avhich would be beyond the 
means of individual proprietors. 

In all opinions expressed as to the value and effects of the agricultu- 
ral improvements proposed for South-Carolina, my data are the expe- 
rienced and unquestionable results of like labours in Virginia. The 
legitimate deductions, and the only one for untried operations, is that 
like causes will produce like effects in both these different localities. I 
cannot conceive any reason, founded on existing differences of climate, 
soil or subjects of culture, that can make calcareous manures less effi- 
cient, or less profitable, with you than with us. Nevertheless, I have 
learned from mere rumor, that in the small extension of their use, by 
new operators, which occurred here, there was no general and important 
benefit obtained. And such, I must infer, was the conclusion reached 
by nearly all the makers and observers of these trials, from the irresist- 
ible, though negative evidence (which only is before me,) that nothing 
considerable of such improvements, or of public notoriety, has been ef- 
fected in latter years. In the absence of all particular information of 
the actual trials, their results and the accompanying circumstances, of 
course I cannot pretend or be expected to explain the causes of disap- 
pointment, vvhich must be the general result, as it seems that marling 
has languished, if not ceased, in general, after a few faint efforts." 7 ' But 
I infer that the main and usual cause of supposed failure, or of incon- 
siderable benefit, has been the same prevailing bad practice, before de- 

* There is, however, o.ie important case known to me, of at least partial excep- 
tion to the general rule of failure in mailing in South Carolina, in the very exten- 
sive and also profitable labours and improvements of Gov. Hammond, on his estate 
bordering on the Savannah. 



25 

nounced, of incessant, ov, at least, much too frequent tillage, which does 
not permit the fields to receive and retain organic matter from their own 
growths especially. This cause had operated on nearly all the trials of 
marl made previous to my service in South Carolina. Of all such cases 
of .alleged failure, that I was enabled to see and investigate the circum- 
stances, the causes were such as I now suppose of the still later failures. 
These cases of failure and of disappointment, and the known causes, 
were brought fully to view in my Report of the Agricultural Survey ; 
and from the more extended remarks, I will quote a short passage, to 
show my then opinion of the facts and the causes of previous failures, 
and my earnest warning against the general course pursued. After re- 
citing the general facts of failure of previous trials of marling, I pro- 
ceeded in these words : "Can any opponents of marling desire more 
full admissions than these ? And yet they all serve but to illustrate 
what I have continually striven to impress, that without vegetable mat- 
ter to combine with, calcareous manures will be of little value. But, on 
the other hand, I have heard of no trial of marl on land in proper con- 
dition, that is, recently and sufficiently rested, and thereby provided with 
vegetable matter, in which the effect has not been very great on the first 
crop. And three or four of such results only, would be enough to ex- 
plain the causes, (of failure in all other cases,) and to prevent all infer- 
ences unfavourable to marling, if from a hundred failures of early efforts 
under reverse circumstances." Then followed particular statements of 
two different experiments, carefully made that year, (and the circum- 
stances noted at my request,) of marling on new land, and, therefore, 
not exhausted of its vegetable matter, and in which the products (which 
were cotton,) were nearly doubled in the first year of the application. 

Here, then, even in the few lines quoted from the much more full 
precepts to the same purport, there is full evidence of my having stated, 
in advance of all later trials, the sure cause of failure ; and in the warn- 
ing against that cause, I may claim to have predicted all later failures 
of like occurrence. And if there had been thousands of failures, pre- 
ceded and accompanied by very frequent and exhausting tillage, all of 
them would but the more strongly confirm my long entertained and 
often expressed opinions and instructions, as to the action of calcareous 
manures ; and all such cases would not detract a tittle from the alleged 
available values. When urging the use of lime, I have never omitted 
to state that it gave no fertility of itself, or by direct action ; and that 
vegetable matter in sufficient quantity, and in conjunction, was essential 
to the beneficial operation of calcareous manure. The required organic 
matter may be supplied mainly in the growth of the land to be im- 



26 

proved. But it must be supplied in some form, and in sufficient quan- 
tity — and, also, should be, in part, present in advance of the use of cal- 
careous manures, to secure their bast early effects. 

Planters of South-Carolina — I have offered to you in plain and un- 
varnished language, and, possibly, it may be in ungracious and distaste- 
ful terms, the last advice and admonition that I can expect to utter to 
you, or to any similar audience. My burden of years, and infirmities 
much greater than even suited to my age, admonish me that my labours 
must soon close. I would deem it a reward of more value to me than 
will be the sbort remainder of my life, if you and your fellow-labourers, 
even at this late time, (in reference to myself,) would heed my words, 
and fully profit by them. It is but little that a private individual can 
do, to warrant to a great commonwealth or community, the beneficial 
results predicted upon stated premises and conditions. But so perfect 
is my confidence in the general results I have predicted, that I would 
willingly hazard upon the issue all that I have, in property, reputation, 
and even life itself. For illustration, and in mercantile or business lan- 
guage — if I possessed hundreds of millions of dollars, to that full amount, 
for a premium of ten per cent., I would insure as much clear profit to 
South Carolina, to be gained by conforming to my directions, for saving 
and increasing the fertility of her soil. As, however, it is impossible for 
me to offer any such guaranty, and for me either to incur risk of loss, or 
to derive pecuniary gain from the results, lean only offer my earnest ver- 
bal assurances of your available gain, as great and assure to be obtained 
by your pursuing a proper course of improvement, as will be the growing 
loss and eventual ruin of your country, and humiliation of its people, if 
the long existing system of exhausting culture is not abandoned It is 
not merely my feeble voice and my questionable personal testimony, but 
also thousands of unquestionable facts, and the sure experience and real- 
ized profits of thousands of farmers, which offer to your acceptance the 
highest agricultural prosperity, in exchange for present decline and ap- 
proaching exhaustion of the remaining fertility of your land. Choose, 
and choose quickly ! And remember, as my last warning, that your de- 
cision will be between your purchasing, at equal rates of price, either 
wealth and general prosperity, of value exceeding all present power of 
computation, or ruin, destitution, and the lowest degradation to which 
the country of a free and noble minded people can possibly be sub- 
jected. 



REPORT 



DIRECTORS OF THE SO. CA. INSTITUTE. 



In presenting to the members of the Institute their Report for the 
year 1852, and the Fourth Annual Fair, the Board of Directors cannot 
but be aware that at no exhibition has there been so small a number of 
articles presented for competition. While frankly making this admis- 
sion, the Board are neither discouraged by this apparent want of suc- 
cess, nor disheartened from prosecuting their efforts to give permanency 
to so desirable an object. Every thinking and candid mind will confess 
that obstacles of a formidable character were interposed during the past 
year. The deluge by which this and the neighbouring States were in- 
undated, not only cut off supplies from reaching the interior of these 
States, thus impeding the work of such as were preparing articles for 
exhibition, but, also, in many cases, turned the persons thus employed 
entirely from their designs, by forcing upon them such press of neces- 
sary work, as to afford no time to prepare their articles. The sickness, 
too, engendered by this flood, had some effect throughout the country, 
in stopping the preparation of such work as was designed for the Fair. 
While the prevalence of Yellow Fever in Charleston not only stopped 
much of the work there in preparation, but deterred many from send- 
ing from the country. But the day before the opening of the Fair, a 
heavy black frost enabled the Charlestonians conscientiously to say to 
their friends from other places, that no risk could be run in visiting 
the city, a period too short to enable publicity to be given through the 
country, and allow contributors to bring down their articles. These 
were formidable obstacles, and such as no human precaution could guard 
against, or human energy overcome. And that these were the causes 
which prevented the Fair from being unusually large and attractive, are 
not mere speculations of the Board, but the testimony borne by very 



28 

many letters addressed to the proper officer, both early in the year, and 
immediately prior to the opening of the Fair. 

Very shortly after the close of the Fair of 1851, the Board of Di- 
rectors commenced preparations for the Fair of 1852 ; by advertisements 
in the newspapers of several States, publicity was early given, and the 
correspondence which speedily commenced indicated that many persons 
in this and the adjoining States, were aroused to the benefit to be de- 
rived from these exhibitions. During the latter part of the spring, the 
Board had circulars struck off, and sent wherever an opportunity pre- 
sented ; by means of this, still further attention was attracted to the 
approaching Fair. And, in addition to the above, the Board also sent 
out upwards of four hundred circular letters addressed to gentlemen of 
note in every district in South Carolina, and to as many in North Caro- 
lina, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee, as they could learn were inter- 
ested in developing the industry of the country. Communications were 
also opened, during the year, with several of the institutes established 
in other parts of the United States, both south and north. The pros- 
pect of the approaching Fair was so promising, that the Board deter- 
mined upon the erection of a temporary building, of size sufficient to 
accommodate the articles which they reasonably hoped would be offered 
for exhibition. And as notice had been given by several gentlemen of 
their intention to exhibit stock, cattle, sheep, hogs, &c, preparation was 
made, by the erection of sheds within the enclosures around the build- 
ing, to receive and exhibit to advantage, this new and highly desirable 
addition to the former Fairs. The calamities which befell both the coun- 
try and city, disappointed the reasonable expectations of the Board. — 
But while thus disappointed, the Board find reason to hope for the per- 
manent success of the Institute in those causes which rendered the pre- 
paration for the Fair of 1852 necessary. It may not only be hoped, 
but reasonably believed, that very many years will pass away ere a sea- 
son similar to the summer of 1852, will again occur. The annually in- 
creasing health of Charleston, and the constantly lessening risk of Yel- 
low Fever, gives promise that many years will go by, ere a visitation 
from this disease will recur. And the history of the land tells that 
deluges, such as produce the Yazoo and Harrison freshets, and that of 
1852, occur but seldom in a century. 

Notwithstanding the comparative paucity of articles presented at the 
Fair for exhibition, the analysis shows that a steady progress has been 
made towards improvement, and the hardworking industry of the coun- 
try is gradually developing itself through this agency. This analysis is 
not made only as a comparison of the recent with former Fairs, but, al- 



29 

so, as a comparison with the Fairs of other Institutes. In all exhibi- 
tions of this character, throughout the United States, there appeals to 
be a strong effort to elevate the standard of feminine employments, and 
the result has been to bring out, for exhibition, a large proportion of 
s.uch work as is usually done exclusively by females. The Fairs of the 
South-Carolina Institute have, from the commencement, shewn this trait. 
The walls have been draped with quilts; and artificial flowers, crochet- 
work, millinery, embroidery, needle-work, have adorned the tables. Pre- 
serves and their kindred of the domestic economy, made their appear- 
ances at the last exhibition, and the Board anticipate with pleasure, the 
day when, through the Fairs of the South-Carolina Institute, it will be 
demonstrated that a great economy may be exercised in the making of 
small things. A far higher end, however, is subserved by this attention 
to female occupations than the mere pecuniary benefit. Woman is 
raised in her own estimation, as well as in the opinion of the communi- 
ty ; from being the help, she becomes the companion of man ; while 
the more laborious occupations of life call his attention, it becomes her 
pleasing duty so to weave such comforts for his fireside, as to draw him 
back from the engrossing pursuits of trade, to the rightful appreciation 
of the beauties of nature and art. Through her handiwork she can ap- 
peal to his tenderest feelings, and make man, man. Yet another useful 
purpose is served, through the call for female industry. When thrown 
upon her own resources for livelihood, the fate of woman is hard in- 
deed, and whatever tends to ameliorate this condition is a blessing. In 
the crowds who visit the Annual Fairs, an opportunity is afforded to 
the deserving, but indigent, labouring female, to exhibit her needlework, 
and thus draw to her some share of the employment so necessary in 
every community. 

At the recent Fair, there were offered for exhibition in the depart- 
ments of female industry, twenty-six specimens of crochet-work, thirty- 
six of needle-work, six of millinery, thirteen of embroidery, and sundry 
other articles, such as pictures, wax-flowers, preserves, cakes, &c, which 
are necessarily included under other heads. To the female contributors 
were awarded forty-five premiums, consisting of reticules, porte mon- 
naies, gold thimbles, furnished books or housewives and crochet handles. 
Without desiring or intending to make any invidious distinction, the 
Board believe that benefit is to be derived to the community generally, 
from attention being particularly called to two articles, neither of which 
took first prizes, yet each of which are worthy the consideration of all 
gool housekeepers. The first was a mat of scrap cloth, exhibited by 
Mrs. G. B. Reid. It was made of the scraps and little odds and ends 



30 

which necessarily accumulate on the hands of every house-wife, was 
neat in appearance, and as one of the steps towards promoting domestic 
economy, is worthy, at least, of thought. The second article to which 
the Board desire to call attention, was a pair of Palmetto baskets, exhi- 
bited by Miss V. A. Thomson. These baskets were woven of the leaf of 
the Palmetto, and presented not only a neat appearance, but from the 
well known durability of the material, will probably prove very service- 
able. The willow basket for these two qualities has attained so great 
repute, that if another material, growing within our immediate reach 
and of comparatively no cost, can be made to attain similar repute, this 
of itself would be such a development of industry, as would repay the 
Institute for its exertions. The basket-maker's trade affords occupation 
and support to a large number of persons in other places, and no reason 
can be imagined why it should not do the same wherever this new ma- 
terial can be procured. From Georgetown to the point of Florida, the 
Palmetto can readily be obtained, and surely the three States of Florida, 
Georgia and South Carolina, are interested in whatever will enable them 
to add another article to their list of exports. The Catalogue annexed 
hereto, will exhibit the names of the other contributors to the female 
department, while the list of premiums awarded, also accompanying this 
report, will show those who have been successful in the praiseworthy 
contest for superior excellence. The particularizing of the two above ar- 
ticles, is made only because they indicate a new mode of economy, and 
point out a new industry. 

In pursuing the analysis of articles exhibited, besides the female de- 
partment above spoken of, there were of upholstery, four articles ; of the 
arts, thirty ; of food, thirty ; of natural products, sixteen, of which eleven 
were fit for food ; of medical preparations, three ; of natural history, nine ; 
of cattle stock, &c, thirteen ; of manufactures, thirteen, and of mechani- 
cal industry, one hundred and three, of which seventeen were of iron, 
brass, steel, &c. This analysis shows that not only new things are being 
exhibited, but considering the paucity of articles exhibited, from the 
causes before stated, indicate that a higher degree of excellence is sought. 

It would be nearly impracticable to dwell at any length on the va- 
rious departments ; suffice it then briefly to touch upon such as are 
most important. Under the head of arts were included, pen, pencil 
and crayon drawings, as well as paintings. Daguerreotype pictures, also, 
fall under this branch ; two or three busts, both modelled and sculp- 
tured, indicated that some latent talent could be developed by judicious 
encouragement, and while all cannot hope to rival Praxiteles, Michael 
Angelo, Titian, Raphael, Canova, Thorwaldsen, or Powers, still conside- 



31 

rable merit can be attained. There are, doubtless, many pieces of art 
in this city, which could be exhibited at the Fairs, not as competing for 
prizes, but by way of exhibition, from which the aspirant for artist dis- 
tinction could gather many valuable suggestions, and it is to be hoped 
that the day is not far distant when the possessors of such pictures, &c, 
will deem it of consequence by their exhibition to aid in the encourage- 
ment of this plan. At some future time, and it is hoped that such 
time is fast approaching, the Board contemplate the establishment of a 
School of Design, as an appendage to the Institute. Should this prove 
as successful as it has done at other Institutes, a rapid development of 
artistic skill may reasonably be expected. The Board cannot pass from 
this subject without calling particular attention to one exhibitor in this 
department, one of whom South Carolina may justly be proud as a son. 
Allusion is made to Mr. Thomas B. Welch, whose engraving of the 
head of Washington, after Gilbert Stuart's original painting, is a work 
of so high merit, as to place Mr. Welch high among the list of engra- 
vers. Exhibited at the Fair of the American Institute, this engraving 
proved a successful competitor, and was pronounced by the judges to 
possess very great merit. It is executed by a union of the line and stip- 
ple modes of' engraving, and possesses in a high degree the excellence 
of each, particularly in that portion engraved under the stipple process, 
is it worthy of close study. The peculiar benefit of this latter mode is 
well exemplified by the softness given to such portions of the head as 
were thus executed. By the same artist were also exhibited two other 
engravings, heads of Jackson and Scott, both of which are highly cre- 
ditable, but showing, at the first glance, that the same degree of labour 
was not put upon them, as was exercised in the preparation of the head 
of Washington. 

A few years since, the medical profession of this State considered that 
benefit had been conferred by a treatise emanating from the pen of Dr. 
F. Peyre Porcher, upon the herbs and roots of South-Carolina, and their 
applicability to the purposes of the profession. Among the herbs no- 
ticed by Dr. Porcher, was the common Catfoot, or Life-Everlasting, the 
Gnaphalium Polycephalum of botanists. A syrup made from the 
flower of this herb was exhibited by the Hon. T.|L. Gourdin, and was 
intended by him to call attention to the medicinal properties which it 
possesses. As a remedy for coughs, this syrup has many soothing qual- 
ities, while it is slightly narcotic and sudorific The Board notice this 
contribution in the hope that it may be taken up by druggists and such 
analysis given to it, as^will shew whether it really is of service. It is 
to be hoped that the other herbs and roots possessing medicinal quali- 



32 

ties may also be examined, and that the subsequent Fairs of the Insti- 
tute will find many contributions to the domestic Materia Medica. 

Of articles of food, &c, thirty kinds were exhibited, embracing bis- 
cuits, vegetables, olive oil, fruit, preserves, &c. A mammoth squash, 
sent by Mr. J. S. Havener, would doubtless have stood prominent even 
in the Horticultural Exhibitions of Philadelphia. Three bottles of 
orange wine, contributed by Dr. B. B. Sams, afforded a novel and plea- 
sant beverage. At some future time, the orange growers of Florida 
may find it worthy to turn some attention to this preparation. A bunch 
of dates, exhibited by Mr. J. Hamilton Couper, attracted much notice. 
As did, also, the bottles of olive oil, exhibited by the same gentleman 
and by Mr. P. M. Nightingale. The exhibition of this oil, and at the 
Fair of 1851, as well as at the present Fair, of the olive itself, by Mr. 
Chisolm, indicate that the soil and climate of Georgia and South Car- 
olina are both fitted for the growth of the olive tree. It is distinctly in 
the recollection of many inhabitants of Charleston, when several olive 
trees grew and bore fruit, and it has been mentioned to the Board by a 
gentleman, that he has repeatedly eaten the fruit just picked from the 
tree. One of these trees long flourished in the yard of the residence 
now owned by Alonzo J. White, Esq., at the corner of Meeting and 
Tradd-streets. That sugar too can be produced in South Carolina, was 
evinced by the keg sent by Mr. Henry J. Bailey, who communicated to 
the Board, that he could produce from one thousand to twelve hundred 
weight to the acre. This is the second contribution of sugar exhibited at 
the Fair of the Institute, Mr. Seabrook having sent some to the Fair of 
1850. By Mr. Hammarskold was exhibited some enormous beans, 
under the name of Giant Shanghai Beans : they are, in fact, the bean 
generally known as the sugar bean, are easily cultivated, hardy, produc- 
tive, and an excellent article of food. To gardeners this bean is worthy 
of consideration. 

Premiums having been offered for agricultural products, stock, cattle, 
hogs, &c, a fair exhibition was the return. The planters are particular- 
ly interested in this department, and the initiative step having been ta- 
ken, it is earnestly to be hoped that each succeeding year will find a 
large addition to the number of exhibitors. At the Fairs of other Insti- 
tutes, this department is one of great interest, and every reason exists 
why as large a comparative exhibition should be made at the Fairs of 
the South Carolina Institute, as elsewhere. The appended catalogue 
will show the exhibitors, and the things exhibited. 

To Professor Francis S. Holmes, the Board are indebted for a large 



33 

number of specimens of Natural History, and the constant crowd in 
their vicinity, indicated the interest felt in this part of the exhibition. 

To the Rev. C. W. Howard, the Board return thanks for the contribu- 
tion of a handsome piece of black marble, quarried on his farm, near 
Kingston, Geo., and remarkably well worked. This marble will com- 
pare in beauty with any quarried in the United States. 

In the department of manufactured goods, the exhibition was not as 
good as at the Fair of 1851. The newly awakened attention of North 
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee, to the im- 
portance of manufactures, is so great, that a large exhibition can be 
made, did the various manufactories deem it worthy of contending. 
That such competition is worthy of their consideration, is evinced by the 
anxiety displayed at the Fairs of other Institutes, and even at the 
World's Fair, at London, by manufacturers, to display the results of 
their skill. So great is the importance attached, that piles upon piles 
of manufactured goods are annually submitted to the judges. The 
Board indulge the hope that a similar spirit will animate the manufac- 
turing companies of the Southern States. When American manufac- 
turers first began their labours, it was confidently believed by the British 
people, that England must retain the superiority. Time, however, has 
taught another tale, and in certain kinds of goods, American fabrics are 
considered so far superior, that the American brands have been put up- 
on English goods. So in the heavier kinds of cotton cloths, the South- 
ern manufactories bid fair to surpass the looms of Lowell, and the 
Northern manufactories generally. At more than one Fair of the Amer- 
ican Institute, the homespuns of Georgia and South Carolina have borne 
off the palm. This fact should induce a greater desire on the part of 
Southern manufacturers, by exhibition and competition, to produce still 
greater excellence in their fabrics. To some of the articles exhibited, 
the Board would particularly invite attention. By Mrs. Francis Hol- 
man was exhibited specimens of domestic cassimeres, tweeds, wool 
cord, lindsey, white flannel and corded skirts. These were of purely do- 
mestic manufacture, were woven in a common hand-loom, and dyed with 
the colouring matter found in our own forests. They were of substan- 
tial make, and point out a new way of making great savings by atten- 
tion to small matters. By Messrs. Duffus & Co., were exhibited coils 
of Manilla and hempen rope, made at their rope-walk, in Charleston. 
Tbe neat and substantial appearance of this work was highly creditable 
and worthy of the encouragement of ship-chandlers. Many years since 
a rope-walk existed in Charleston, and great credit is due to these enter- 
prising gentlemen, for their effort to re-establish a decayed industry. 
3 



34 



In the department of mechanical industry, the exhibition was highly 
creditable. Not only a large number of articles were put into compe- 
tition, but many were of a most useful character, and of a very high 
order of merit. By Mr. E. B. Baker, was exhibited a Rail-Road Wheel, 
of sufficient novelty and merit to entitle it to a patent from the govern- 
ment of the United States. By Messrs. E. T. Taylor & Co., was exhi- 
bited the Excelsior Straw Cutter, and the rapidity as well as effi- 
ciency of its work, constantly attracted around it a crowd of visitors. 
This machine has been practically tried by many persons, and found to 
answer the purposes for which it was intended, in an eminent degree. 
A Cotton Gin, for Sea Island Cotton, sent by Mr. S. L. Burney, is said 
to possess much merit ; these gins are largely used in the lower parts 
of Georgia and in Florida, and have given much satisfaction. By Mr. M. 
Coburn, was exhibited two Violins, of a form widely different from those 
now in use, and for which he is seeking a patent. Mr. Coburn 
claims a superiority for these instruments, over the old forms, and it is 
to be regretted that he was not present to point out the excellencies of 
his invention. The judges, through want of this information, were 
unable to pay such attention to them as they possibly deserved. A 
steel Hammer, by Mr. Wm. M. Walker, was a work of much merit. A 
water power Cotton Packing Press, exhibited by Mr. J. B. Armstrong, 
displayed in its construction considerable ingenuity. It may be doubted 
whether the steam press can be displaced in cities by this press of Mr. 
Armstrong, but to planters it may be worthy of attention. Mr. Thorn- 
ton Carpenter, exhibited several specimens of Electro-Gilding, both on 
silver and steel. Mr. Carpenter was of impression that his work 
was the first of its kind exhibited; this is a mistake — at the Fair of 
1850, plating of a very similar description was exhibited by Mr. Gamble, 
and a diploma awarded him. To Mr. Carpenter, however, great credit 
is due for the high state of perfection to which his work has attained. 
By Messrs. Tomlinson, Wood & Co., was exhibited a fine Cabriolet. 
Mr. J. C. Wolf sent a handsomely finished trotting Buggy. Messrs, 
Douglass & Post, a shifting top Buggy, of much merit. Messrs. Smoak & 
Ray, exhibited a Buggy made at their work shop in Orangeburg, 
which, from its high finish and general appearance, bore off the first 
prize for buggies. One of the most attractive articles in the exhibition 
was a Clarence Coach, made and exhibited by Mr. John Artman. The 
rich appearance and elaborate workmanship of this coach, attracted a 
constant crowd around it, and public opinion, not less than the award 
of the judges, declared it entitled to the first prize. By Messrs. E. T. 
Taylor & Co., were exhibited two Saw Gins, for Upland Cotton, to 



35 

which a prize was awarded by the judges. A Saw Gin, by Mr. John 
Dubois,was said by him to be an improvement. By Messrs. Park hurst, 
the gin well known as Parkhurst's Saw Cotton Gin, was sent for exhi- 
bition, but a fire destroyed it and the building in which it was stored, 
thereby preventing it from coming into competition. By Mr. J. Cush- 
ing Torrey, the proprietor, was exhibited Parker's Sawing Machine. The 
machine being put into operation, was found to answer very well the 
purposes for which intended. A Rifle, made by Mr. Happoldt, was 
much admired for its high finish and workmanlike appearance. From 
the South-Carolina Armory, was contributed muskets, rifles, double 
barrelled guns, dragoon pistols and sabres, manufactured in Columbia. 
The substantial appearance of these arms, added to the high finish which 
they had received, constantly surrounded them with an admiring crowd 
of visitors. By Mr. G. U. Pruden, was exhibited Grover & Co's Sewing 
Machine, the motion of the needle being perpendicular, this machine is 
probably less liable to derangement, than most of those in use ; it is of 
solid make, and is largely employ d at the Northern Shoe Factories, 
for stitching the leather. To the Portfolio of papier mache, made by 
two young ladies in Charleston, too much praise can scarcely be awarded. 
To the industry and ingenuity of these fair artizans, the Fairs of the 
Institute have heretofore been indebted for contributions indicating in 
an eminent degree, taste, skill and genius. The Portfolio exhibited, 
was made by these ladies for their own amusement, and in every part 
was the result of their own industry. The papier mache was remark- 
ably well made, while the inlaid work, made from the sea shells, was 
most exquisite. The high finish of this contribution, would make it a 
formidable competitor to the best work, even of those whose daily occu- 
pation leads them to this branch of industry. The Board believe that 
it may not prove wholly uninteresting to state a few facts relative to the 
papier mache manufactory, now becoming an important branch of in- 
dustry. Originally, scraps of paper alone were used in the preparation, 
and ornamental work the only use to which it was applied. Under the 
skill of Charles Bilefield, of London, cotton rags, and whatever can be 
used to make paper, have been turned to use ; and papier mache be- 
comes in his hands, a most useful ally to the carpenter; panels, parti- 
tions, £rate slabs, and even blocks for the exterior of houses are being 
made of this material — it can be turned in the lathe, and fastened with 
screws or nails. Being a vion-conductor of heat, climate has little effect 
upon it, and availing himself of this quality, Mr. Bilefield has recently 
fitted up the interior of a steamboat for the Pacha of Egypt, which he 
confidently expects to outlast any portion of the wooden work. By Mr. 



36 

C. Werner, a display was made most creditable to his skill as a worker 
in iron, and to his taste for execution. The elaborately worked lamp 
post, the cast iron steps, the iron floorings, the iron fencings, cannot easily 
be forgotten by any who saw them. To Mr. Werner, Charleston is in- 
debted for a new branch of industry, and she may well be proud of his 
skill and taste. To the paper exhibited by Messrs. H. and R. J. Evans, 
and by Mr. D. Murphy, the Board refer more by way of suggesting to 
the paper manufacturers, the value of rice straw,than because paper is any 
novelty at the exhibitions. In the New England States it is estimated 
that 20,000 tons of rice straw is used in making paper, and a value 
giv«n to it of upwards of a million and a half of dollars. With this ma- 
terial so abundant and so accessible, no reason exists why it should not 
be also used in the factories of North-Carolina, South-Carolina and Geor- 
gia, engaged in this business. To the cotton seed planter, exhibited by 
Mr. Thomas Carter, credit is due for its simplicity and ingenuity. Mr. 
Cartel states that he planted his last year's crop by its aid. By Mr. R. 
Hawley, was exhibited Kerseymere Ilats, made by him in Columbia, 
and by Mr. P. V. Dibble, Moleskin Hats made by him in Charleston, 
To the workshop of the latter gentleman, the Board have had access, 
and witnessed with pleasure the process of hat finishing. To Mr. Dib- 
ble's courteous explanations, the Board are enabled to give the follow- 
ing description : — The making of hats is divided into two distinct de- 
partments ; the first is the preparation of the body of the hat, which is 
done generally at small manufactories, the most important of which are 
in Connecticut and New Jersey. When issuing from these factories, 
a hat has very much the appearance of a woollen bag. It is in this 
state that the factories usually called hat factories, such as Genin's, Be- 
bee's, <fec, take them. And it was in this state that the Board found 
them at Mr. Dibble's. By a preparation of shellac, glue, <fec, strength 
is given to the flexible body, form is imparted by means of the block, 
and a skeleton hat makes its appearance. The next process is to cover 
the skeleton with the soft, smooth moleskin ; this moleskin is made in 
France, and is a species of plush, which is brought to the United States 
in rolls, by the hatters it is cut and shape given it, by means of a little 
water and a hot iron, this plush is fastened, indeed almost incorporated 
with the original body, and by dexterous manipulation the glossy finish 
and appearance so much admired, is imparted to it. Mr. Dibble stated 
that the same process is gone through in every hat manufactory. Al- 
though so seemingly simple, great skill is required ; several hats were 
exhibited to the Board, some under the hands of the workmen, some 
finished, and their appearance, feeling and lightness, were most highly 



37 

creditable to the workshop of Mr. Dibble. By Mr. F. P. Canfield, was 
exhibited a model, which he claims as an improvement on the crank ; 
while there may be much that is valuable in the suggestion, there are 
some practical difficulties to be overcome, not the least of which is the 
danger of breakage, from the sudden and heavy jar which occurs when 
the motion is reversed. The thought, however, is worthy of being pur- 
sued, and the Board would be much gratified by the exhibition of a 
larger model at the next Fair, and some application made of it to test 
its qualities. By Messrs. Boatwright & Pomeroy, a neat little Rockaway 
was exhibited, in every way creditable to their skill. The " Violet," a 
race boat, made by Messrs. Grier, Easterby and others, attracted much 
attention — its graceful lightness, correct run and other points, with its 
handsome finishing, daily drew around it admiring crowds. While 
none could forget that it was built by young men of Charleston, to up- 
hold the honour of that ancient seaport in the Regatta; and although 
not the successful competitor in the principal races, the gallant bearing 
of the little bark won for it the earnest good wishes of many spectators. 
At the further end of the hall in which the exhibition was held, was un- 
doubtedly the great attraction of the Fair, the steam engine of Messrs. 
Cameron. Mustard & Co. None can have visited the mint in Phila- 
delphia without being particularly struck with the engine employed in 
the coining department, nor leave it without a vivid recollection of its 
smooth and noiseless working. The engine exhibited by Messrs. Came- 
ron, Mustard & Co., can almost rival the mint engine for its noiseless 
working, and certainly can in the plain yet high finish displayed in its 
several parts. The interest manifested by all the visitors at the Fair, 
justify the Board in here inserting the following account of the engine 
furnished by the makers. 

"The Engine exhibited in operation at the Fair of the South-Carolina 
Institute, and which received the special premium, was manufactured 
and entirely built by Cameron, Mustard & Co., Phoenix Iron Works, 
Charleston. The engine is designated as a high pressure, horizontal, sta- 
tionary steam engine. The bed plate that supports the other parts of the 
engine is made of entire cast iron, and so arranged as to be adapted to 
wood, brick or stone foundation, with the necessary holding bolts. The 
cylinder occupies one end of the bedplate, the pedestal, in which the fly- 
wheel shaft revolves, sits near the other end, it thus connects and sup- 
ports the whole line of motion through which the power is communica- 
ted. The cylinder is ten inches in diameter, thirty inches stroke, making 
fifty-six revolutions a minute, with sixty lbs. steam on boiler, wbich, 
according to James Watts' standard rule, proves itself an engine of fif- 



38 

teen horse power. A stop valve, to admit and shut off the steam, a 
throttle, or regulating valve, moved by the governor, to keep the engine 
in uniform motion. Whatever may be the change of power required to 
drive the machinery, a slide valve arrangement in conjunction with the 
fly wheel, brings the crank easily over the centres. The piston is on the 
most improved plan, having metallic packing, with large surfaces, set 
with spiral springs, and not liable to get deranged. The cylinder is 
provided with brass cocks to eject the water that may settle, while the 
engine is at rest — also, a disengaging eccentric hook and starting bar, 
so that the engine can be started and worked by hand, if required. The 
governor is of the most approved nature, and pronounced by an expe- 
rienced European machinest, of unsurpassed workmanship. The lift 
pump, which lifts the water from well to heater — the force-pump, which 
forces the water into the boilers, with the pendillous beam motion that 
moves them, are superior to any other plan now in use. The motions 
and journals being all highly finished, and moving and revolving in 
brass guides and boxes, with syphon oil cups, relieve the engine from a 
great amount of friction, which consequently occurs with rough and un- 
finished bearings. The material of which the engine is constructed, 
instead of being painted, is all planed and polished, showing the 
soundness of the material, and the merit of each and every part. The 
ornamental parts of the engine are all carried out in mechanical order 
and the effect of taste secured. The engine is adapted to drive machi- 
nery of any description within its power, say fifteen horse." 

The Board cannot close their report without saying something of the 
financial condition of the Institute. The arrears of membership are 
purposely placed at a sum little more than nominal, One Dollar per 
annum, in the expectation that a very large number of the citizens of this 
State would feel it both a privilege and a duty, to enroll themselves as 
members. This reasonable expectation has been disappointed. As yet, 
our citizens scarcely appear to realize the benefits to be derived from 
this Association. We are sleeping, while others are up and doing — 
should we be left behind in the race, upon our own sluggishness must 
be laid the blame. Yet does a bright ray of light shadow forth a 
brighter day — the General Assembly at its recent session, by its noble 
contributions to the various enterprises projected for the advancement 
of the State, has shown that the spirit of improvement is awakening. 
In the message of Governor Means, the Institute was commended to the 
Legislature as worthy of the fosteiing care of the State — the statesman- 
like suggestion has met the approval of our Legislators, and an appro- 
priation of ten thousand dollars passed, to be paid whenever a similar 



39 

amount shall be raised by the Institute. The obtaining of these suras 
will enable the Board to erect a suitable Hal), wherein to hold their 
annual Fairs, to establish in time a school of design, a library and other 
attendant advantages. With patriotic and wise liberality, the City 
Council appropriated twenty-five hundred dollars to the Ir.stitute during 
the past year. With these examples, and with this condition annexed 
to the State appropriation, the Board of Directors now approach their 
fellow citizens of the State, to ask their aid in raising the requisite 
amount. The object for which aid is sought, must commend itself to 
every wise and thinking mind. Whatever tends to develope the re- 
sources or promote the industry of the State, is directly of interest to 
every inhabitant thereof. What creates wealth for one, must affect 
others, and the greater the number of avenues opened, the larger 
the number who can travel therealong. But not to the interest 
only of our citizens do we appeal for aid. We boldly call upon their 
patriotism to come to this work. It has long been a matter of pride 
among her citizens that they are South-Carolinians ; to that pride an 
appeal is now made. Will her citizens consent that South Carolina 
shall be a laggard in the contest now waging throughout the world for 
supremacy in the works of peace ? Will her citizens consent that South- 
Carolina shall be last in the race of improvement ? Will her citizens 
consent that it shall be said South-Carolina lives in the recollection of 
her former deeds ? Will her citizens consent that it shall be said 
South-Carolma is energetic in her vauntings, but supine in her actings ? 
These things cannot be — her people love her too dearly to allow the 
finger of reproach to be pointed to her. To every inhabitant, then, of 
South-Carolina, to all, the young and the old ; to her daughters as to 
her sons, to each individually', an appeal is now made for aid in the 
permanent establishment of this Institute. 



LIST OF ARTICLES 



EXHIBITED AT THE 



FAIR OF THE SOUTH-CAROLINA INSTITUTE. 



1. A Crochet Bonnet; Miss Ayer, Charleston. 

2. A pair of Window Blinds ; C. A. Trouche, Charleston. 

3. Two Drawings in Ink ; Dr. W. H. Ford, Charleston. 

4. Piece of Crochet Work ; Miss A. Rotereau, Charleston. 

5. Patent Rail Road Wheel ; E. B. Baker. 

6. Two Quilts ; Mrs. S. A. Chafee, Charleston. 

7. Pair of Spanish Pillow Cases ; Miss E. W. Chafee, Charleston. 

8. One Shaving Tidy — Crochet work ; Miss Harriet Ronan, Charles- 
ton. 

9. Pyramid of Paper Flowers ; Miss M. E. Baker, Charleston. 

10. One Quilt; Mrs. Todd, Cambridge, S. C. 

11. Velvet Tapestry, Brussels Tapestry, Honey Comb Venetian Car- 
peting and two Rugs : Baillie & Lambert, Charleston. 

12. Worsted worked Picture; Miss Eugenia Huchet, Charleston. 

13. Excelsior Straw Cutter — Patent ; E. T. Taylor & Co., Columbus, 
Ga. 

14. Piece of Embroidery ; Miss Julia Whilden, Charleston. 

15. One Cotton Gin — for Sea Island Cotton ; S. L. Barnes, St. Ma- 
ry's, Ga. 

lfi. A Hair Wreath ; Miss E. M.E. Veronee, Charleston. 

17. A Soda Fount and Apparatus; Nathaniel Fields, Charleston. 

18. Two Violins — of an improved form ; M. Coburn, Savannah, Ga. 

19. One Table Net ; Miss E. V. Holmes, Charleston. 

20. Two cases of Ginger Nuts ; R. S. Millar, Charleston. 

21. One case of Charleston (Boston) Crackers; R.S.Millar, Charles- 
ton. 

22. One case of Water Crackers ; R. S. Millar, Charleston. 

23. One box of assorted Crackers ; R. S. Millar, Charleston. 

24. One Love Veil ; Miss J. G. Elliott, Charleston. 



41 



25. Three Tin Leader Heads ; G. H. Veronee, Charleston. 

26. Three Tin Gutters ; G. H. Veronee, Charleston. 

27. Crochet Table Cover; Miss J. B. Whitney, Charleston. 

28. Crochet Tidy; Miss J. C. Whitney, Charleston. 

29. Two pair of Pantelletts ; Miss J. C.Whitney, Charleston. 

30. Crochet Quilt ; Miss M. A. Yates, Charleston. 

31. Steel Hammer ; Wm. M. Walker. 

32. Quilt ; Wm. White. 

33. Piano Stool ; Miss E. Quinan. 

34. Two Fire Screens ; Miss E. Quinan. 

35. One bale of Cloth ; Howard Manufactory, Columbus, Ga. 

36. Miniature Mahogany Table; S. Daggett, Charleston. 

37. Specimen of Brain Coral ; Professor Holmes, Charleston College. 
33. Block of Black Marble, worked ; Rev. C. W. Howard, Cass Coun- 
ty, Ga. 

39. Water power Cotton Packing Press — model; J. B.Armstrong, 
Barnwell District, S. C. 

40. Model of Charleston — cut in paper : C. W. Davis, Sumterville, 
S. C. 

41. Model of Savannah — cut in paper; C. W. Davis, Sumterville, 
S. C. 

42. Fancy Cuttings in Paper ; C. W. Davis, Sumterville, S. C. 

43. Wooden Chain, ball and socket, &c. do. do. 

44. Crochet Work; Collins & Bulkley. 

45. Mammoth Squash ; J. S. Havener, Swallow Savannah, Barnwell 
District, S. C. 

4 6. Worsted Worked Picture; Miss Mary E. Hard, Graniteville, 
S. C. 

47. Daguerreotype Specimens ; T. Carpenter, Camden, S. C. 

48. Electro Gilding on silver ; T. Carpenter, Camden, S. C. 

49. Electro Gilding on steel ; T. Carpenter, Camden, S. C. 

50. Specimen of Mill Machinery ; John C. Dyhes, Barnwell District, 
S.C. 

51. Two Laid Work Quilts ; Miss Ann E. Holman, Barnwell District, 
S.C. 

52. Worsted Mat ; Miss Eliza Mason, Camden, S. C. 

53. Bales of Cloth ; F. & H. Fries, Salem, N. C. 

54. Cassimeres ; F. &. H. Fries, Salem, N. C. 

55. Box of Boston Butter Crackers; J. H. Claussen, Charleston. 

56. Box of Soda Biscuits ; J. H. Claussen, Charleston. 

57. Box of Pilot Bread ; J. H. Claussen, Charleston. 



42 

58 A Carriage ; A. Roulain, Charleston. 

59. A Buggy ; A. Roulain, Charleston. 

60. Picture in Needle Work ; Miss M. R. Payne, Charleston. 

61. Two Cotton Gins ; E. T.Taylor & Co., Columbus, Ga. 

62. A Buggy ; Srnoak & Ray, Orangeburg, S. C. 

63. Three Bottles of Orange Wine : Dr. B. B. Sams, Beaufort, S. C 

64. Specimen of Drafting; Justus Myrhman, Charleston. 

65. Crochet Piano Cover ; Miss Martha A. Alderson, Charleston. 

66. Crochet Collar, " 

67. Netted Waiter Cover, " 

68. Crochet Tidy, 

69. Pair of Doyleys, " " " " 

70. Pair of Pitcher Covers, " " " " 

71. Pair of Crochet Mitts, " " " " 

72. Sawing Machine — Parker's Patent ; J. C. Torrey, Boston, Mass. 

73. Miniature — Portrait and Landscape Painting; Arnold De Ensz- 
ling. 

74. Worsted Worked Arm Chair ; Mrs. Howland, Charleston. 

75. One Sheaf of Rice ; John H. Tucker, Waccamaw, S. C. 

76. Worked Shirt Bosom ; Mrs. Runken, Charleston, 

77. One Bale Sea Island Cotton ; Edward Whaley, Edisto Island, 
S. C. 

78. Bunch of Dates, grown on St. Simons Island ; J. Hamilton Cou- 
per, St. Simons Island, Ga. 

79. Silk worked Picture ; Miss McCann, Charleston. 

80. One Painting ; Miss Sarah Howland, Charleston. 

81. Two Oil Paintings ;' Mrs. Robert C. McClure, Charleston. 

82. Two Pin Cushions; Mrs. Robert C. McClure, Charleston. 
£3. Two Cooking Stoves; James Sullivan, Savannah, Ga. 

8 4. Worsted Worked Picture; Mrs. Chalk, Charleston. 

85. Two Architectural Designs ; A. P. Hammerskold, Charleston. 

86. Clarence Coach ; John Artman, Charleston. 

87. A Rifle ; J. H. Happoldt, Columbus, Ga. 

88. Specimen of Flooring Boards, planed with Beardlee's Patent 
Planing Machine; N. B. Prothro, Charleston. 

89. Grover, Baker & Co.'s Patent Sewing Machine ; G. U. Pruden, 
Agent, Boston, Mass. 

90. A Cabriolet; A. Roulain, Charleston. 

91. Specimens of Penmanship — Various kinds; J. A. Pelot, Charles- 
ton. 



43 

92. Models in Glass, of the Kohn i Noor Diamond, size and shape 
exact ; Professor Shepherd, So. Ca. Medical College. 

93. One Ruled and Bound Ledger — Binding and Ruling; Stokes & 
Guenveur, Charleston. 

94. Piece of Shell Work ; Capt. Tessier. 

95. Boots ; John Meitzler, Charleston. 

96. Fire Proof Bricks; C. Rhodes, Edgefield, S. C. 

97. Earthern Ware Jugs ; C. Rhodes, Edgefield, S. C. 

98. Patent Leather Boots ; W. Wolfe, Charleston. 

99. A Bonnet made of Pine Grass ; Mrs. J. II. Hudson. 

100. Model of a Ship; J. G. Marsh, Charleston. 

101. Model of a Steamship; J. G. Marsh, Charleston. 

102. An Album ; Mr. Shuckman, Charleston. 

103. One Cushion; Air. Shuckman, Charleston. 

104. Picture in Worsted ; Mr. Shuckman, Charleston. 

105. A piece of Coral, found on the coast of Charleston Harbor ; 
John Sheppard. 

106. A Netted Turkish Cushion ; Miss A. Rielly, Charleston. 

107. Netted Zephyr Wool Shawl; Miss M. A. Rielly, Charleston. 

108. Phrenological Bust of George Cole ; Francis W. Rielly, Charles- 
ton. 

109. Two Work Baskets ; Mrs. E. J. Anderson, Charleston. 

110. Mat made of scrap Cloth ; Mrs. G. B. Reid, Charleston. 

111. Five Pea Fowl Brushes; Mrs. J. M. Caldwell, Charleston. 

112. Two colored Crayons; Miss A. Crews, Charleston. 

113. Braided Merino Cloak, Mrs. Riker, Charleston, 

114. Three Patch Work Quilts, " " " 

115. One Quilt, " " " 

116. Braided Merino Sack, " " " 

117. Suits of Crimson Merino, " " " 

118. Orange Colored Suit, " " " 

119. Cough Syrup, made from the flower of the Life Everlasting ; T. 
L. Gourdin, Pineville, S. C. 

120. One Axe B. D. Clark, Orangeburg, S. C. 

121. One Drawing Knife, "" " " " 

122. One Side Saddle, with jumping horn ; Love & Wienges, Charles- 
ton. 

123. Pair of Cork sole Boots; P. Lepper. 

124. Quilt Miss J. H. Holman Black. 

125. Counterpane, " " " " 

126. Domestic Tweeds, Mrs. Frances Holman Black. 



44 

127. Domestic Cords, Mrs. Frances Holman Black. 

128. Domestic Cassimeres, " " " " 

129. Domestic Lindsey, " " " « 

130. Two Domestic Corded Skirts, " " « « 

131. Domestic Flannel, " " " " 

132. Throe Crayon Drawings ; P.M. Johnson, Columbia, S. C. 

133. A Paphr Mache Portfolio, inlaid with sea-beach shells ; Misses 
Withers, Charleston. 

134. Lot of Baskets; Mrs. M. White, Spartanburg, S. C. 

135. Pincushion, stitched in imitation of Marseilles : Miss J. G. 
Elliott, Charleston. 

136. One Toilet Cover ; Mrs. Fredrick. 

137. Two Shirts; by a young lady of Sumter District, S. C. 

138. Crochet Work ; by a young lady of Charleston. 

139. One Boat; R. D. Bacot, Charleston. 

140. Two Quilts, " " " " 

141. Three Crayon Drawings ; R. D. Bacot, Charleston. 

142.\ Specimens of Door Plates ; Samuel J. Harrod, Columbia, S. C. 

143. Case of Millinery; Mrs. A. G. Parker, Charleston. 

144. 4 Stoves; Mr. Veronee, Charleston. 

145. A Picture of the Store of Messrs. Bowning & Leman; George 
Seignious, Charleston. 

146. 4 Paintings ; S. N. Carvalho, Charleston. 

147. Head and Horns of Elk, Prof. Holmes, Charleston College. 

148. Arctic Fox ; " " " " 

149. Seal; « " « « 

150. Birds, &c; " " " " 

151. Ruled and Bound Ledger; Walker & Evans, Charleston. 

152. Fancy and other Binding ; " " " 

153. One Work Basket ; Miss Fanny Blanchard, Washington City. 

154. One Book Mark; " " " " « 

155. Iron Castings for Fences ; C. Werner, Charleston. 

156. Iron Castings, Ornamental Faces, &c, stands, &c; C. Werner, 
Charleston. 

157. Iron Lamp-frames ; C. Werner, Charleston. 

158. One pair of Glass Dishes cut in Charleston ; Mrs. Yates, Charles- 
ton. 

159. Premium Impression Paper, manufactured in Charleston ; Rob- 
ert F. Beebee & Co. 

160. Ready-made Clothing ; Dunn & Duvyea, Charleston. 

161. Folding Spring Mattress, with patent Springs ; T. E. Denaux, 
Charleston. 



162. Daguerreotype Specimens; Mr. Glen, Charleston. 

163. 4 bottles of Olive Oil, made in 1851, at St. Simon's Island ; J. 
Hamilton Couper, St. Simon's Island, Geo. 

164. Printing on Satin, Charleston Courier ; A. S. Willington & Co., 
Courier Office, Charleston. 

165. One Satin Bonnet; Miss Ann Cummings, Charleston. 

166. Specimens of Graining, a grained Door, <kc; N. Thomson, 
Charleston. 

167. Fossil Remains of the Ichthyosaurus intermedius, from Lias, 
State of Boll, in Wurtemburg ; Professor William Hume, of Citadel 
Academy. 

168. Specimens of Silver Ware ; Wm. H. Ewan, Charleston. 

169. 2 pair Patent Leather Boots ; Wm. Dallas, Charleston. 

170. Pair of Pump-sole Boots; " " " 

171. Coil of Manilla Rope ; Duffus & Co., Charleston. 

172. Coil of Hemp Rope; " " " 

173. Specimens of Manufactured Paper; D. Murphy, Fayette ville, 
N. C. 

174. New Cotton Press; L. Speisegger, Savannah, Geo. 

175. One Safe; B. Johnson, Charleston. 

176. Buggy and other Umbrellas ; B. Johnson, Charleston. 

177. Crotchet Tidy ; by a young lady of Charleston. 

178. Box of Preserved Tomattoes ; Mrs. D. C. Webb, Charleston. 

179. One Musket, manufactured in Columbia; So. Ca. Armory, Co- 
lumbia, S. C. 

180. One Rifle, manufactured in Columbia ; So. Ca. Armory, Colum- 
bia, S. C. 

181. One Dragoon Pistol, manufactured in Columbia; So. Ca. Ar- 
mory, Columbia. S. C. 

182. One Sabre and Scabbard, manufactured in Columbia; So. Ca. 
Armory, Columbia, S. C. 

183. 2 Bottles of Syrup; Nathaniel Fields, Charleston. 

184. Barrel of Irish Potatoes, 2nd crop, from seed of 1st crop, G. 
DeWitt, Charleston. 

185. Specimens of Horse Shoes; Richard Chapman, Charleston. 

186. Basket of Pecan Nuts; C. W. Graves, Charleston. 

187. Carolina Pressed and Grey Bricks; C. W. & A. D. Graves, 
Charleston. 

188. Drawing of the Steam Engine exhibited by Messrs. Cameron, 
McDermid & Co.; J. McDougal, Charleston. 

189. Specimens of Daguerreotypes ; George S. Cook, Charleston. 



46 

190. Silver Ware ; John Mood, Charleston. 

191. Mustang Liniment; 0. F. Bragg. 

192. 3 pieces of Netting; by a }oung lady of Charleston. 

193. Crochet Work ; by a young lady of Charleston. 

194. Engraving of Washington, after Stuart's painting, line and stip- 
ple ; Thos. B. Welch, Charleston. 

195. Engraving of Jackson; Thos. B. Welch, Charleston. 

196. Engraving of Scott; Thos. B. Welch, Charleston. 

19V. 2 Vases Wax Flowers; Mrs. E. W. Beecher, Charleston. 

198. 2 Lamp Shades; Misses Kate and Mary Drayton, Charleston. 

199. Crayon Drawing; W. S. Brewster, Charleston. 

200. Crayon Portrait ; S. M. J. Prothro. 

201. Silver Ware: Hayden, Brother & Co., Charleston. 

202. Map of Charleston ; published by Hayden, Brother & Co., 
Charleston. 

203. Pair of Crochet Doyleys ; Miss A. E. Brown, Charleston. 

204. Map of North-Eastern Rail-Road ; Win, Keenan, Charleston. 

205. 6 Frames; Wm. Keenan, Charleston. 

206. Specimens of Plumbing; Jos. F. Charch, Charleston. 

207. One Bust; Mrs. Osborne, Charleston. 

208. 2 Bonnets; Mrs. Osborne, Charleston. 

209. Specimens of Daguerreotypes; Mr. Osborne, Charleston. 

210. One 4 Panelled Door ; Albert Elfe, Charleston. 

211. Plantation Brogans ; Francis Lynch, Cheraw, S. C. 

212. Pictures; by a young lady of Columbia, S. C. 

213. 6 Bottles of Olive Oil, manufactured in Georgia ; P. M. Night- 
ingale, Georgia. 

214. One Quilt; Miss L. S. Dial, Columbia, S. C. 

215. Specimens of Foreign Rice, presented to the South Carolina In- 
stitute, by Thomas Fisher, Esq., Philadelphia. 

216. Baskets, from Female Orphan Asylum, Virginia ; sent by John 
W. Stoy, Charleston. 

21*7. Sugar, made in Georgetown Dist., from ribbon cane; Henry J. 
Bailey, Georgetown Dist., S. C. 

218. Moss Baskets ; Miss M.E. Johnson, Charleston. 

219. Bead Bag; " " 

220. Cotton Seed Drill and Planter ; Thomas Carter. 

221. Laid Quilt ; Miss M. E. Ward, Edgefield, S. C. 

222. Castings in Brass, Cameron, Mustard & Co., Charleston. 

223. Castings in Iron , " " " " " 

224. Domestic Pattern ; Miss Mary Roberts, Orangeburg, S. C. 

225. One Dray ; Arch. McLeish, Charleston. 



47 

226. Cotton Gin, claimed as an improvement ; John Dubois, Greens- 
boro', Ala. 

227. Seed Bag ; Miss M. M. Johnson. 

228. Crochet Sideboard Cover ; Miss H. E. Stone. 

229. 2 Lemons, grown in Winnsboro', of extraordinary size ; Miss P. 
Barkley, Winnsboro', S. C. 

230. Oil Painting; J. Maier. 

231. Specimens of Gilding and Ornamenting ; E. Currant, Charleston. 

232. Crochet Hat; Miss Victoria E. L. Shier, Charleston. 

233. Toilet Cushions ; " " " " " 

234. Doyleys; " " " « « 

235. Moleskin Hats, manufactured in Charleston ; P. V. Dibble, 
Charleston. 

236. 2 Palmetto Baskets ; Mr. Thomson. 

23 7. 6 very large Pomgranates ; Miss Ann Avinger, Orangeburgh, 
S. C. 

238. An Ear of Corn 15 inches long ; James Walker, Chester Dis- 
trict, S. C. 

239. Brass and Iron Bound Water Buckets, manufactured in Christ 
Church Parish; John Hamblia, Christ Church, S. C. 

240. 4 Bottles Bitters ; Jas. Morehead, Charleston. 

241. Steeple Cake; Mrs. Cordes, Charleston. 

242. Pin Cushion worked on satin ; Mrs. Cordes, Charleston. 
213. One Fire Screen; Mrs. Wille, Charleston. 

244. Patch Work Quilt; Miss E. Mack ey, Winnsboro', S. C. 

245. 2 Crochet Collars ; Miss Nettlebladt, Winnsboro', S. C. 

246. One Guinea Squash ; Dr. S. Fair, Columbia, S. C. 

247. 3 Pomgranates ; " " " " 

248. Burr Basket; A Draglier. 

249. Model of an Improvement on the Crauk ; F. P. Canfield, Barn- 
well Dist., S. C. 

250. One Toy House; S. Roberts, Charleston. 

251. A Rockaway Wagon ; Boatwright & Pomeroy, Columbia, S. C, 

252. Network Purse ; Miss D. Elfe, Charleston. 

253. Pair of Hose, spun and knit in Columbia, S. O; Mrs. G. A. 
Petton. 

254. Case of Hats manufactured in Columbia, S. C; R. Hawley & 
Co., Columbia, S. C. 

255. Case of Hats, manufactured in Charleston ; R. Hawley,Charleston. 

256. Needlework ; by a lady of Texas. 

257. Pair of Moose Horns ; sent by John Harberson. 

258. Alcott Corantin Lathe; Thos. N. Coffin. 



48 

259. Quilt; Miss Eloise Mackey, Winnsboro', S. C. 

260. Bottle of Long Beard Black Barley ; Mr. Heriot. 

261. Giant Shanghai Beans, grown in Charleston; Mrs. Haminer- 
skold, Charleston. 

262. Bottles and Tumblers of Preserves; Mrs. Meyers, Charleston. 

263. Japonica in Wax ; Mrs. B. J. Parker. 

264. 3 Bales of Cotton; Dr. Witten, Georgia. 

265. R. Hoe & Co., Card Printing Press ; Joseph Walker, Charles- 
ton. 

266. 3 Bales of Cotton ; J. B. Bull, Abbeville Dist. S. C. 

267. Silk and Wool Cassimere; Geo. Kiddell. 

268. Netted Sideboard Cover ; Miss Eason. 

269. 3 Bonnets; " " 

270. 7 pieces Crochet work; " " 

271. 2 Crayon Pictures ; Nath'l Levin. 

272. The Violet, a Race Boat, made in Charleston, to contend at the 
Regatta ; Messrs. Easterby and others, Charleston. 

273. Goat Skin Scull, brought to contend at Regatta ; Mr. Decker, 
New York. 

274. Two year old Colt ; A. T. Shier, St. James Goose Creek, S. C. 

275. A Marsh Tackey, called La Fayette, 4 years old ; Wm. M. Otis, 
Charleston. 

276. A Plantation Tackey, called Vampa, 3 years old; Chs. H. Wil- 
son, Wadmalaw Island, S. C. 

277. Pair of Devon Calves ; Judge Warren, Augusta, Geo. 

278. Ayrshire Heifer Calf; Richard Peters, Atlanta, Geo. 

279. Pair of Suffolk Pigs, 5 months old ; J. R. Wilson, John's Island, 
S. C. 

280. 3 Dogs and Ferrets, trained for Rats, raised in Charleston ; 
Walter John Dobbins. 

281. A Canadian Stallion, between 6 and 7 years old, from the 
French settlement near Montreal, and imported for Dr. North; Dr. Ed- 
ward North, Charleston. 

282. A Trinket Poney, 5 years old, raised in S. C; E. H. Carsten, 
Charleston. 

283. A Nubian Sheep, 7 months old; Dr. S. H. Dickson. 

284. 2 Cashmere Goats, half-blood, 6 months old ; Dr. S. H.Dickson. 

285. A Colt out of Eclipse, by a common mare, 15 months old; J. 
Holman, Blackville. 

286. Bottles of Native Olives; Robert Chisolm, Beaufort, S. C. 

287. A Stationary Engine, 15 horse power, 10 inch diam. cyl., stroke 
30£ ; Cameron, Mustard & Co., Charleston. 



PREMIUMS AWARDED 



ANNUAL FAIR FOR 1852, 

OF THE 

SOUTH CAROLINA INSTITUTE. 



Miss Martha A. Alderson, Crochet Handle, Crochet Work. 
" " " " First Reticule, Netted Waiter Cover. 

Miss E. J. Anderson, Second Porte Monnaie, two Ladies Work Baskets. 
John Artman, Silver Medal, Clarence Coach. 
Miss L. Ayer, Crochet Handle, Crochet Bonnet. 
E. B. Baker, Silver Medal, Improved Rail Road Wheel. 
Miss M. E. Baker, Third Porte Monnaie, Pyramid of Paper Flowers. 
Mrs. E. W. Beecher, Silver Medal, Vases of Wax Flowers. 
Boatright & Pomeroy, Silver Medal, Rockaway. 
Miss A. E. Brown, Crochet Handle, Crochet Doylies. 
Mrs. J. M. Caldwell, Furnished Book, Pea Fowl Brushes. 
Cameron, Mustard, & Co., Gold Medal, Superior Steam Engine. 
Cameron, Mustard & Co., Silver Medal, Castings in Brass. 
G. Carpenter, Diploma, Electrotyping on Steel and Silver. 
S. N. Carvalho, Silver Medal, Bust of a Beggar. 
Miss E. W. Chafee, Gold Thimble, Spanish Pillow Cases. 
R. Chapman, Silver Medal, Horse Shoes. 
B. D. Clarke, Diploma, Axe and Drawing Knife. 
J. C. H. Claussen, First Premium Diploma, Soda Biscuits, Pilot Bread, 

and Butter Crackers. 
M. Coburn, Diploma, Violins. 
J. Hamilton Couper, Diploma, Native Olive Oil. 

Misses Kate and Mary Drayton, Third Porte Monnaie, two Lamp Shades. 
E. Currant, First Premium Diploma, Specimens of Ornamenting and 

Gilding. 
Wm. Dallas, Silver Medal, Patent Leather and other Boots. 



50 

C. W. Davis, Diploma, Cuttings in Paper. 

Miss M. A. DeLorme, Gold Thimble, Two Shirts. 

T. E. Denaux, First Premium Diploma, Folding Spring Mattress, with 

patent hinges. 
Miss S. Dewar, Crochet Handle, Crochet Tidy. 
P. V. Dibble, Silver Medal, Best Moleskin Hat. 
E. S. Dodge, Silver Medal, Miniature. 

Douglass & Post, First Premium Diploma, Shifting top Buggy. 
Duffus & Co., Silver Medal, Best Bale Rope. 
Miss Eason, First Porte Monnaie, Embroidered Bonnets. 
Miss Eason, Crochet Handle, Crochet Work. 
Miss D. E. Elfe, Crochet Handle, Net Work Purse. 
A. Elfe, Jun., First Premium Diploma, Panelled Doors. 
Miss J. G. Elliott, Second Porte Monnaie, Imitation Marseilles Pin 

Cushion. 
Miss J. G. Elliott, Gold Thimble, Bobbinet Lace Veil. 
H. & R. J. Evans, Diploma, Wrapping Paper. 
N. Fields, First Premium Diploma, Soda Water and Syrups. 
Miss Julia Fisher, First Porte Monnaie, Crayon Drawing, " Anna." 
Mrs. Frederick, Furnished Book, Toilet Cover. 

D. L. Glen, Silver Medal, best Daguerreotype Heads. 

C. W. & A. D. Graves, Silver Medal, Carolina Grey and Pressed Brick. 

Stuart Grier, Silver Medal, The Violet, a Race Boat. 

Miss A. Hamlin, First Reticule, Crochet Work. 

John Hamlin, Silver Medal, Water Buckets. 

P. M. Hammarskold, Silver Medal, best Architectural Draughting. 

J. H. Happoldt, Silver Medal, a Rifle. 

S. J. Harrod, Silver Medal, Door Plate Engraving. 

R. Hawley & Co., Silver Medal, best Kerseymere Hats. 

Hay-den, Brother & Co., Silver Medal, Silver Ware. 

Miss J. Ilolman, Furnished Book, Patchwork Quilt. 

Mrs. F. Hoi-man, Furnished Book, Domestic Tweeds, Kerseymeres and 

Linseys. 
Miss E. V. Holmes, Second Reticule, Table Net. 
Hoiton & Park, Silver Medal, best Plumber's Work. 
Howard Manufactory, Silver Medal, Bale of 4-4 Brown Sheeting. 
Mrs. A. C. E. Howland, First Porte Monnaie, Worsted Work Arm Chair. 
Miss Eugenia Iluchet, Third Porte Monnaie, Worsted Picture. 
Mrs. Daniel linger, Gold Thimble, Two Quilts. 
Miss M. K. Johnson, Second Porte Monnaie, Two Moss Baskets. 
B.Johnson, First Premium Diploma, Wire Safe. 



51 

B. Johnson, First Premium Diploma, Specimen of Umbrellas. 

Wm. Keenan, Silver Medal, Embossed Envelope and Card Engraving 

and Printing, Copperplate, <kc. 
Love & Wienges, First Premium Diploma, Lady's Saddle. 
F.. Lynch, Silver Medal, best Leather and Brogans. 
Miss McCann, Second Porte Monnaie, Silk Work Picture. 
A. McLeish, First Premium Diploma, best Dray. 
A. tfc R. B. McKensie, Silver Medal, Double and Single Dlarness. 
Miss Eloise Mackey, Gold Thimble, a Quilt. 

J. Maier, Silver Medal, Composition Painting Portrait of a child. 
James G. Marsh, Silver Medal, Models, Ship and Steamship. 
Miss Eliza Mason, Third Porte Monnaie, Worsted Mat. 
Mrs. Meyer, Second Porte Monnaie, Preserves. 

R. S. Millar, First Premium Diploma, Best assorted and "Water Crack- 
ers and Nuts. 
S. Morehead, First Premium Diploma, Wine Bitters. 
D. Murphy, Diploma, Best Printing Paper. 
Miss Nettlebladt, Crochet Handle, Two Crochet Collars. 
P. M. Nightingale, Silver Medal, Native Olive Oil. 
Edward North, Silver Cup, Brown Canadian Stallion for draught. 
J. M. Osborne, Silver Medal, Best Composition Daguerreotypes. 
Mrs. Osborne, Gold Thimble, Dress Making. 
Mrs. A. G. Parker, Gold Thimble, Case of Millinery. 
Miss M. B. Payne, Gold Thimble, Picture in Needle Work. 
J. A. Pelot, First Premium Diploma, Best Specimens of Penmanship. 
Miss Mary Pelot, Gold Thimble, Baby Dress. 
F. Y. Porcher, Silver Cup, Brown Stallion. 
N. B. Prothro, Silver Medal, Flooring Boards, planed by Beardsley's 

Patent Planing Machine. 
Mrs. G. B. Reid, First Porte Monnaie, Mat made of Scrap Cloth. 
C.Rhodes, Diploma, Fire-proof Hearth Bricks and Jugs. 
Miss M. A. Riley, First Reticule, Netted Wool Shawl. 
Mrs. Caroline H. Ripley, Second Reticule, Knitted Work. 
Miss Sarah Jane Ripley, Crochet Handle, Crochet Work. 
Mrs. M. T. Robinson, Gold Thimble, Needle Work. 
Miss Harriet Ronan, Crochet Handle, Crochet Tidy. 
Miss Rotureau, Crochet Handle, Crochet Work. 
Mrs. Bunker), First Porte Monnaie, Worked Bosom Shirt. 
Mrs. Slmckman, Gold Thimble, Gold Embroidered Cushion and Album. 
Scott & Deveaux, Agents, Silver Medal, Sea Island Cotton Gin, S. L. 

Burney, St. Mary's, Geo. 
Miss V. E. L. Shier, Crochet Handle, Crochet Work. 



52 

Smoak & Ray, Silver Medal, Be^t Buggy. 

South Carolina Armory, Silver Medal, Specimens of Fire Arms. 

Stokes & Guenveur, Diploma, Book Binding in full calf, with Marbled 

Edges, (a new feature in Southern work.) 
Miss H. E. Stone, Furnished Book, Crochet Sideboard Cover. 
James Sullivan, Agent, First Premium Diploma, Granger's Patent 

Cooking Stove. 
E. T. Taylor & Co., Silver Medal, Cotton Gins, Saw Gins. 
E. T. Taylor & Co., Silver Medal, Patent Excelsior Straw Cutter. 
Miss V. A. Thomson, First Porte Monnaie, Two Palmetto Baskets. 
N. Thomson, Silver Medal, Graining on Wood. 
D. L. Thomson, Silver Medal, Arrow Root, Tomattoes Catsup, Cayenne 

Mustard, <fcc. 
Mrs. Todd, Gold Thimble, a Quilt. 
Tomlinson, Wood & Co , Silver Medal, Cabriolet. 
J. C. Torrey, Silver Medal, Circular Saw for hand use. 
C. A. Trouche, First Premium Diploma, Window Blinds. 
Miss M. E. E. Veronee, Second Porte Monnaie, Hair Wreath. 
G. H. Veronee, Diploma, Tinner's Work. 

W. H. Veronee, Agent, 1st Premium, Diploma, Stanley's Parlor Stoves. 
Joseph Walker, Agent, Diploma, Hoe & Co.'s Patent, Card Printing 

Press. 
Walker & Evans, Silver Medal, Best Blank Book Ruling and Binding. 
Walker & Evans, Diploma, Best Bound Books, in full and half binding- 
Mrs. D. C. Webb, Furnished Book, Preserved Tomattoes. 
Thomas B. Welch, Silver Medal, Engraving of Head of Washington, 

from Stuart's Painting. 
C. Werner, Silver Medal, Ornamental Castings in Iron. 
C. Werner, Silver Medal, Design of Ornamental Iron Work. 
C. Werner, Silver Medal, Ornamental Wrought Iron Work. 
Edward Whaley, Silver Cup, Best Sea Island Cotton. 
Miss Julia Whilden, Third Porte Monnaie, Piece of Embroidery. 
Mrs. White, Second Reticule, Crochet Quilt. 
Mrs. M. White, First Premium Diploma, Baskets. 
Miss J. C. W T hitney, Third Porte Monnaie, Crochet Work. 
Miss J. B. Whitney, Second Reticule, Crochet Table Cover. 
J. S. Witten, Silver Cup, Best Long Staple Upland Cotton. 
Charles H. Wilson, Silver Cup, Fine Marsh Tackey Stallion. 
Misses Withers, Pair of Silver Salt Cellars, Papier Mache Port Folio. 
J. C. Wolf, First Premium Diploma, Best Trotting Buggy. 
Miss M. A. Yates, First Reticule, Crochet Quilt. 
Mrs. Yeadon, Second Reticule, Crochet Piano Cover. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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